First  l/resbyt^nai? 


:^mauel]  (;f^iir^l^,  pa. 


Shelf. 


PRINCETON,     N.    J. 

BX^211~Tm38  W42  1895 
Webster,  Elizabeth. 
History  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of 


T^^ms. 


.  ^  n: 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


First  Presbyterian  Church, 


OF 


MAUCH  CHUNK,  PA., 


BY 


ELIZABETH  ^^^EBSTER. 


A     RECORD     OF    SIXTY     YEARS. 


Tke  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us  ;  whereof  we  are  glad."— Ps.  126-3. 


MAUCH     CHUNK,     PA. 
November  i,  1895. 


PREFACE. 


The  record  of  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  the 
lives  which  were  Providential  instruments  in  that  work, 
devout  minds,  everywhere,  love  to  cherish.  The  children 
of  God  find  that  their  faith  is  strengthened,  their  contin- 
uance in  prayer  is  quickened,  and  their  devotion  to  duty 
is  awakened  when  they  look  upon  the  unassailable  evi- 
dences of  the  seasons  of  grace,  which  have  come  to  this 
community  and  descended  to  them  from  their  own  fathers 

With  that  end  in  view,  the  Session  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church,  of  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.,  desire  to  place 
in  the  hands  of  the  members  and  friends  of  the  Church 
and  congregation,  her  history  from  the  day  of  her  organi- 
zation to  the  present  time.  Into  the  life  and  growth  of  this 
Church,  are  interwoven  many  loved  names  and  precious 
memories.  The  recital  of  these  facts  will,  undoubtedly, 
bring  vividly  to  the  memory  of  many  the  stirring  events 
of  years  ago,  and  also,  with  them,  many  other  names  and 
incidents,  which  it  is  impossible  to  place  within  the  limits 
of  this  book.  It  is  our  earnest  desire  that  this  work  may  be 
richly  blessed  to  the  Church  and  people,  and,  from  it,  may 
the  present  and  coming  generations  realize  more  fully  the 
rich  heritage  which  God  has  bequeathed  to  them  in  this 
Church  in  which  their  fathers  worshipped   and  learned   to 


IV.  PREFACE. 


love  and  serve  the  Saviour,  for,  **  Surely  the  Lord  is  in  this 
place." 

No  one  could  have  been  better  adapted  to  prepare  this 
work  than  Miss  Elizabeth  Webster;  being  herself  actively 
identified  with  the  work  of  the  Church,  and,  above  all,  the 
daughter  of  the  godly  man  and  devoted  servant  of  Christ, 
who  was  the  first  pastor.  The  Session  therefore  requested 
her  to  prepare  this  history,  and  the  readiness  with  which  she 
entered  upon,  and  the  zeal  with  which  she  prosecuted  the 
work,  evidenced  that  to  her  it  was  truly  a  labor  of  love. 

This  history,  written  and  published  by  order  of  the 
Session,  is  issued  with  the  prayer  that  God's  grace  be  out- 
poured upon  our  beloved  Church. 

Rev.  Duncan  M.  Buchanan, 

Moderator. 

First  Presbyterian  Church, 

Mauch  Chunk,  Pa., 

Nov.  I,  j8gS' 


FJKST  FRES/n  TJiRJAX  CHURCH. 


HISTORY 


FIRST   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH, 


MAUCH    CHUNK,    PA 


fl^Jj  HEN  the  forty  years  of  weary  wandering  in 
the  wilderness  were  over,  and  the  great  hosts 
of  Israel  were  ready  to  enter  the  Promised 
Land,  they  encountered  one  more  obstacle. 
Between  them  and  Canaan,  the  river  Jordan, 
then  at  its  greatest  height,  rushed  past.  By 
the  Divine  Hand  of  Omnipotence,  those  waters 
were  held  back  until  all  had  crossed  safely.  Before  the 
mighty  waters  were  permitted  to  return  to  their  wonted 
place,  the  Lord  commanded  Joshua  to  have  twelve  stones 
taken  from  the  river  bed  and  carried  to  the  first  encamp- 
ment, there  to  be  set  up  for  a  ''memorial  unto  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  forever."     In  future  years,  as  other  gener- 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


ations  looked  on  that  strange  heap  of  stones  they  would  be 
ti;ld  tlie  wonderful  story  of  the  passage  over  Jordan  that 
the  Lord's  guidance  of  His  people  might  be  in  perpetual 
remembrance.  In  our  town  stands  a  Church  which  is  pe- 
culiarly dear  to  all  who  are  or  have  been  in  its  communion. 
Sixty  years  ago  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Mauch 
Chunk  was  organized,  and  to-day  we  tell  ho^v  it  was 
founded  in  strong  faith,  earnest  prayers,  loving  zeal,  and 
ardent  hopes  that  it  might  prove  a  memorial  of  the  Lord's 
goodness  to  His  people  here.  In  recounting  that  history 
it  has  been  thought  best  to  dwell  especially  upon  the  early 
years  which  have  so  largely  influenced  and  determined  the 
character  of  our  beloved  Church.  ''We  little  know  the 
anxieties,  the  prayers  of  agony,  the  denials,  the  sacrifices 
that  are  wrought  in  the  foundations  of  this  Church.'"^  It 
is  also  a  record  of  victorious,  overcoming  faith,  of  un- 
shaken trust  in  the  covenant-keeping  Jehovah,  and  in  His 
care  of  His  Church. 

As  we  read  this  history  may  we  realize  as  never  before 
the  priceless  heritage  our  fathers  have  committed  to  us. 
Let  us  guard  it  with  reverence  and  love,  that  we  may  give 
it  to  the  next  generation  as  pure,  as  holy  as  we  received  it 
from  its  founders. 

In  a  sermon  preached  in  this  Church  by  the  Pastor, 
Rev.   Edsall  Ferrier,  D.  D.,  in  November,  1876,  he  says: 

*Dr.  Ferrier's  Historical  Sermon. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  7 

^'Previous  to  the  year  181S,  the  place  where  this  town  now 
stands  was  an  unbroken  wilderness.  The  first  coal  oper- 
ations in  our  vicinity  were  begun  that  year.  In  1830  there 
were  only  seven  hundred  inhabitants  in  the  town,  and  by 
the  census  of  1840  only  twelve  hundred;  so  that  it  is  no 
reflection  on  the  missionary  spirit  of  our  Church  that  the 
Presbytery  did  not  effect  an  organization  until  1835." 
Before  that  date,  however,  the  needs  of  the  coal  fields 
of  Pennsylvania  were  pressing  upon  the  hearts  of  some 
of  God's  people  who  were  anxious  to  undertake  mis- 
sionary work  there.  The  request  for  the  organization 
of  a  Presbyterian  Church  in  Mauch  Chunk  came  before 
the  Presbytery  of  Newton,  in  1835.  ^'^  November,  1867, 
that  Presbytery  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  its 
organization,  and  the  historical  discourse  was  delivered  by 
the  Rev.  David  X.  Junkin,  D.  D.  In  tiiat  sermon  he  gives 
the  following  interesting  account  of  his  visit  to  Mauch 
Chunk,  the  organization  of  the  Church,  and  a  brief  sketch 
of  its  usefulness  and  the  work  it  accomplished  in  our  vi- 
cinity. '^Perhaps  the  most  interesting  field  ever  entered 
by  the  missionary  zeal  of  this  Presbytery  was  that  which 
now  lies  beyond  her  borders,  in  the  great  coal  field  of 
Pennsylvania.  Previous  to  November  ist,  1835,  there  was 
no  Presbyterian  church  north  of  Pottsville,  in  that  vast 
and  rich  mountain  country.  There  were  a  very  few  Pres- 
byterians in  it,  but  scattered  and  discouraged.  In  1833 
your  historian,  then  a  student  in  the  Seminary,  offered  to 


HISTORY     OF    THE 


spend  a  vacation  laboring  in  Mauch  Chunk  and  the  vicin- 
ity; but  his  overtures  were  not  favorably  received.  In  the 
year  1835,  a  man*  whose  wife  had  been  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  became  concerned  for  his  soul,  and 
so  deep  was  his  anxiety,  that,  having  heard  of  Dr.  Gray  of 
Easton,  he  wrote  to  him  for  counsel.  The  correspondence 
resulted  in  his  coming  to  Easton  to  be  received  by  the  Ses- 
sion of  that  church  to  its  membership,  and  [if  my  memory 
serves]  Dr.  Gray  baptized  him.  This  man  went  back  to 
Mauch  Chunk  with  his  heart  aglow  with  the  fervors  of  first 
love,  and  was  the  instrument  of  kindling  a  desire  for 
Church  privileges  and  a  Church  organization  in  the  minds 
of  a  few  in  that  town  and  vicinity.  A  request  was  sent  to 
Presbytery  asking  for  the  Gospel  and  for  a  church  organi- 
zation. The  request  was  favorably  considered,  and  a  com- 
mittee appointed  to  proceed  to  Mauch  Chunk  and  organ- 
ize a  Church  if  the  way  should  be  clear.  All  of  the  mem- 
bers except  Elder  Enoch  Green,  and  your  present  speaker, 
were  prevented  from  attending.  But  on  the  last  day  of 
October,  1835,  ^"^^  arrived  at  Mauch  Chunk.  We  held 
service  that  night  and  the  next  day  in  a  small  house  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  on  the  first  day  of  November  or- 
ganized a  church  of  twenty-four  members,  and  ordained 
three  Elders." 


■=^Mr.  George  W.  Smith. 


FIRS't     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  Q 

The  charter  members  were  as  follows  : 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  C.  Bigger,  James  Lesly,  Mrs. 
Abiel  Abbott,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merrit  Abbot,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  Washington  Smith,  Mrs.  Thomas  Patterson,  Mrs. 
John  Wilson,  John  Simpson,  Miss  Margaret  Youngs,  Miss 
Agnes  Youngs,  Mrs.  Daniel  H.  Connor,  Miss  Susan  Hartz, 
Miss  Mary  Hartz,  John  Nichol,  Alexander  McLean,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Robert  Craig,  John  Lile,  John  B.  Butler,  Mrs. 
George  Adair  and  Nathan  Patterson. 

Dr.  Junkin  continues  : 

"  Five  weeks  afterward  your  speaker  again  visited 
that  town  in  company  with  his  beloved  friend  and  class- 
mate, the  lamented  Rev.  Richard  Webster.  We  preaclied 
Friday  and  Saturday,  and  on  Sabbath,  December  6th,  ad- 
ministered the  Lord's  Supper — the  first  dispensed  by  Pres- 
byterian hands  in  the  Carbon  coal  field.  Mr.  Webster 
immediatelv  entered  upon  indefatigable  missionary  work 
in  that  mountain  region,  and  proved  one  of  the  most  la- 
borious and  successful  laborers  I  have  ever  known.  The 
twenty-four  communicants  of  which  his  Church  was  at  first 
constituted  were  gathered  from  Mauch  Chunk  and  Summit 
Hill,  nine  miles  apart.  But  with  the  blessing  of  God  upon 
his  toil,  zeal,  and  self-denial,  and  upon  the  fostering  care 
and  liberality  of  this  Presbytery  and  her  churches,  the 
cause  prospered  in  the  coal  field.  Church  after  church 
was  gathered  and  organized,  pastor  after  pastor  introduced, 
edifice  after  edifice  constructed,  until  in  1843,  the  flourish 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


ing  and  enterprising  Presbytery  of  Luzerne  was  constitu- 
ted, in  part  of  churches  set  off  from  us.  Beaver  Meadow 
was  organized  in  1838;  Summit  Hill  in  April,  1839; 
Conyngham  in  April,  1842,  and  colonies  from  these  fol- 
lowed in  rapid  succession  at  Hazleton,  Weatherly,  and 
many  other  poiiUs.  That  Presbytery  now  numbers  two 
churches  more  than  her  mother.  The  Apostle  of  the  Coal 
Fields,  the  lovely  and  lamented  Webster,  toiled  on  until 
he  preached  his  last  sermon  on  his  death-bed,  on  June 
19th,  1856." 

After  the  visit  described  by  Dr.  Junkin  and  also  fully 
recorded  in  our  Session  Book,  the  little  church  began  its 
struggle  for  a  permanent  existence.  The  services  were 
held  in  the  Methodist  church  while  efforts  were  made  to 
secure  a  place  of  worship.  The  result  of  these  efforts  was 
the  little  stone  church  on  West  Broadway.  By  a  mistaken 
economy  and  short-sighted  policy  the  church  was  so  small 
that  every  pew  was  rented  before  it  was  dedicated.  As 
there  was  no  room  for  enlargement,  new  families  coming 
into  the  town  could  not  find  seats,  and  so  became  irregu- 
lar in  their  attendance  and  almost  of  necessity  compelled 
to  worship  elsewhere.  That  small  church  was  a  sad  hin- 
drance to  the  growth  of  the  congregation  and  hampered 
the  pastor  in  his  work  all  his  life.  The  Church  was  dedi- 
cated to  the  service  of  God  in  February,  1837.  "  The 
kindness  and  courtesy  of  the  Methodists  toward  us,  in  the 
early  days  of  our  existence  were  marked  ;  and   when   our 


RST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  H 


first  house  of  worship   was  completed,  a  letter  of  recogni- 
tion  was  addressed   to   the  Trustees— a  letter,  the  careful 
and   correct  composition  of  which  at  once  indicates  the 
scholar,  and   the   pious  sentiments  of  which,   so  full,   so 
warm-hearted,  mark  the  devoted  man  of  God.     That  letter 
was   the    production    of  the   Rev.    Richard   Webster.     A 
single  quotation  will  indicate  its  general  character:       'We 
feel  assured  that  we  express  not  only  our  individual  senti- 
ments, but  those  of  the  Church  and  congregation  to  which 
we   belong,  when   we  say  that   your  fraternal   behavior   in 
this  instance  is  truly  appreciated,  and  affectionately  recip- 
rocated.    If  ever,    through  change  of   circumstances,    or 
any  providential  dispensation  you   should  be  without  suit- 
able  accommodations  for  the  public  worship  of  God,  it 
will  be  our   privilege  to  open  our   house  for  your  use  and 
to  show  by  our  actions  our  grateful  remembrance  of  what 
we   have   received.     We  pray   that   God   will  requite  the 
kindness  you   have  shown  us,  that   He  will   multiply  your 
members,  and  give  to  your  people  and  your  ministers  the 
teaching  of  His  Spirit  and  the  comforts  of  His  grace.'  "  * 
Mr.  Webster  began  preaching  in  Mauch   Chunk  once 
a  month  in    1835  ;  on   the  other  Sabbaths  he  labored  as  a 
missionary  far  and  near.     In  April,  1837,  he  was  called  to 
the  pastoral  charge,  one-fourth  of  his  time  being  employed 
at  Summit  Hill.     He   was  installed   pastor  of  the   Church 


*Dr.  Ferrier's  Historical  Sermon. 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


ill  July  1837.  In  a  letter  written  to  his  brother  a  few  days 
later  he  says  : — "  The  house  was  crowded.  Mr.  Irwin 
preached  from  Zech.  2:5:  *  I  will  be  a  wall  of  fire  round 
about  thee,  and  the  glory  in  the  midst  of  thee.'  Mr. 
Candee  propounded  the  questions  and  delivered  the  charge 
to  me,  from  the  words.  '  Cursed  be  the  man  that  doeth 
the  work  of  the  Lord  deceitfully.'  Mr.  David  X.  Junkin 
gave  the  charge  to  the  people.  Everything  was  appro- 
priate and  solemn  and  we  may  well  exclaim,  '  Blessed  be 
the  Lord,  for  He  hath  showed  me  His  marvellous  loving 
kindness.'  " 

'*  The  stability  and  prosperity  of  this  C.'hurch,  under 
God,  are  largely  due  to  the  character  and  piety  of  the  first 
Pastor.  If  a  man  of  inferior  talents,  or  ordinary  piety,  or 
only  a  common  consecration,  had  been  the  first  Pastor, 
our  Church  to-day  might  have  quite  a  different  aspect. 
The  congregation  will  always  have  occasion  to  thank  the 
Head  of  the  Church  for  that  first  gift.  In  looking  over 
some  old  records,  I  am  amazed  at  the  extent  and  multi- 
plicity of  his  labors.  It  is  no  wonder  that  his  constitution, 
not  very  strong  at  the  best,  should  have  given  away  under 
.such  a  burden,  and  that  he  should  have  fallen  at  the  early 
age  of  forty-five.  One  who  knew,  said  :  '  He  is  recognized 
as  the  father  of  Luzerne  Presbytery,  and  in  some  degree 
there  was  on  him  the  care  of  all  the  churches.'  In  a  letter 
written  in  December  previous  to  his  death  he  writes  :  '  I 
preached  last  month  three  times  for  brother  Gaston.     In 


REW    RICHARD   WEBSTER. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  13 

September,  I  preached  ten  times  for  my  brethren  in  eight 
days.'  Notwithstanding  these  arduous  and  extended  la- 
bors, he  did  not  neglect  careful  preparation  for  the  pulpit. 
He  brouglit  nothing  but  beaten  oil  into  the  sanctuary.  I 
make  these  statements  from  a  careful  examination  of 
several  of  his  sermons.  The  composition  is  as  correct  as 
if  intended  for  the  press.  Several  are  composed  with  such 
accuracy  of  statement  that  scarcely  a  correction  would  be 
needed  before  giving  them  to  the  public.  Like  the  man, 
his  style  has  a  singular  simplicity  and  purity.  His  ser- 
mons are  eminently  scriptural.  His  only  purpose  seems 
to  have  been  to  exhibit  the  mind  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
Word  of  God.  The  skill  with  which  the  passages  are  an- 
alyzed indicates  more  than  ordinary  mental  abilities.  One 
sermon  on  the  reply  of  Agrippa  to  Paul,  '  Almost  thou 
persuadest  me  to  be  a  Christian,'  has  unusual  merit,  and 
must  have  made  a  profound  impression  on  any  congrega- 
tion that  heard  it.  In  its  analysis,  spiritual  tone,  style  and 
solemn  and  spiritual  lessons,  it  is  a  model.  The  last  ser- 
mon he  ever  preached  to  this  congregation,  was  from  the 
text,  '  Enoch  walked  with  God  and  was  not,  for  God  took 
him.'  It  was  so  solemn  an  occasion  that  Rev.  Mr.  Cross 
in  a  published  sermon  says  :  '  Many  of  the  congregation 
thought  at  the  time,  and  some  of  them  remarked  that  it 
seemed  as  if  he  was  preaching  his  last  sermon.'  His  at- 
tachment to  the  Church  was  very  great.  It  was  his  only 
pastoral   charge.     One   of  his  last  utterances  was,  *  May 


14  HISTORYOFTHE 

God  be  with  my  people,  I  loved  to  preach  the  Gospel  to 
them.  I  thank  God  for  permitting  me  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel to  them.  I  thank  God  for  permitting  me  to  preach  it 
to  one  people.'  The  Church  was  very  dear  to  him,  and 
the  very  walls  seemed  graven  on  the  palms  of  his  hands."* 

The  Rev.  Courtlandt  Van  Rensselaer,  D.D.,  Mr. 
Webster's  life-long  friend,  and  his  biographer,  says  :  **God 
gave  to  Richard  Webster  a  good  vigorous  intellect.  Even 
a  casual  observer  could  not  fail  to  see  the  flashes  of  intel- 
ligence which  emanated  from  no  ordinary  mental  consti- 
tution. Well  cultivated  in  early  life,  his  mind  expanded 
under  the  influence  of  the  collegiate  and  theological 
course,  and  received  great  strength  and  discipline  from 
the  higher  studies  incident  to  his  profession.  He  was  a 
hard  student  all  his  life.  He  became  more  and  more  fa- 
miliar with  the  original  languages  of  Scripture,  and  pros- 
ecuted his  theological  studies  to  an  extent  quite  unusual 
among  the  temptations  of  our  active  missionary  life. 

''Richard  Webster  early  professed  his  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  while  the  *  dew  of  youth  '  was 
upon  him,  united  himself  with  the  followers  of  the  Re- 
deemer. He  was  a  holy  man.  No  one  could  mistake  the 
purpose  of  his  life.  His  heart  was  in  the  ministry  of  re- 
conciliation. Devotion  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  his 
reigning   passion.     He   had   consecrated    himself  to    his 

*Dr.  Ferrier's  Historical  Sermon. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  15 

Master's  service  with  a  view  to  preach  the  Gospel  among 
the  heathen  ;  but  when  Providence  seemed  to  throw  ob- 
stacles in  this  direction  of  his  choice,  he  joyfully  went  to 
a  missionary  field  at  home,  doubtless  under  the  guidance 
of  his  Heavenly  Father,  who  greatly  blessed  him  in  his 
labors.  Living  a  zealous,  self-denying,  and  active  life,  he 
accomplished  much  for  the  advancement  of  the  Redeem- 
er's Kingdom.  A  tender  compassion  for  souls  was  the 
beauty  and  power  of  his  ministerial  character.  A  sweet, 
earnest  love,  that  came  from  God,  enabled  him  to  toil  on 
in  the  destitute  coal  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  edifying  the 
saints  and  exhorting  sinners  to  repentance.  The  Rev.  A. 
B.  Cross,  who  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  fitly  chose  for 
his  text  :  'Ye  are  witnesses,  and  God  also,  how  holily,  and 
justly,  and  unblamably  we  behaved  ourselves  among  you 
that  believe  ;  as  ye  know  how  we  exhorted  and  comforted, 
and  charged  every  one  of  you,  as  a  father  doth  his  chil- 
dren.'— (i  Thess.  2:10-12)."* 

With  the  same  self-devotion  which  led  him  to  conse- 
crate his  life  to  work  in  the  Marathi  Mission,  India,  he 
sought  for  a  destitute  field  in  his  own  land.  The  young 
minister,  for  he  was  only  twenty-four  years  old  when  he 
came  to  Mauch  Chunk,  in  entering  upon  his  arduous  life- 
work  voluntarily  gave  up  all  thought  of  earthly  preferment 
or  honor.      That  the  sacrifice  was  made   lovingly,  joyfully 

■^Biographical  Sketch, 


l6  HISTORYOFTHE 

is  evident  from  his  whole  life,  and  we  have  his  own  testi- 
mony in  a  letter  written  to  his  brother  in  1838.  He  writes: 
"I  love  the  place,  the  people  and  all  about  it,  and  have  as 
completely  identified  myself  with  it  in  interest  and  affec- 
tion, as  if  I  had  first  breathed  here,  and  as  if  it  were  Earth's 
only  spot  of  brightness  and  of  rest.  I  came  to  this  little 
field,  and  here  I  began  to  love  and  to  be  loved,  and  every 
part  of  the  village  is  connected  with  some  delightful  re- 
memberance." 

"Mr.  Webster  was  passionately  devoted  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  holding  our  Faith  and  Order  to  be 
the  very  primitive  form  and  mould  of  apostlic  truth, 
he  could  conceive  nothing  more  noble  and  venerable  than 
Galvanism  and  Presbyterianism.  Around  the  Church  he 
poured  the  wealth  of  his  reverence,  his  imagination,  and 
his  affection."* 

''His  principal  work,  aside  from  his  regular  ministry 
of  the  Gospel,  was  '  The  History  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  America,  from  its  origin  until  the  year  1760,' 
an  octavo  volume,  published  by  authority  of  the  Presby- 
terian Historical  Society.  This  book  was  a  sort  of  recrea- 
tion, from  year  to  year,  from  his  regular  pastoral  work. 
Few  ministers  use  their  vacations  so  laboriously.  The  dif- 
ficulties in  the  way  of  collecting  material,  and  the  variety 
of  sources  from  which  it  had  to  come,  will  lead  any  reader 

*Rev.  Benjamin  J.  Wallace,  D.  D. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  17 

who  looks  over  the  lives  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six 
ministers  and  the  history  of  the  churches  until  1760,  and 
finds  the  amount  of  information  collected  to  wonder 
how,  in  the  whole  life  of  his  ministry  he  accomplished  it. 
Yet  he  collected  more  than  would  make  another  volume  as 
large,  and  was  increasing  his  stores  constantly  until  his 
death."* 

We  have  dwelt  thus  fully  upon  these  characteristics  of 
the  first  Pastor  because  we  believe  that  they  have  been  in- 
delibly impressed  upon  our  Church,  and  have  influenced 
its  whole  character  and  history. 

Almost  immediately  after  the  installation  of  Mr. 
Webster,  evidences  of  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the 
Church  were  manifest;  and  the  pastor  records  with  deep 
gratitude  the  encouragements,  especially  that  during  the 
year,  ''several  aged  persons  have  been  awakened  to  their 
need  of  the  Saviour."  At  every  meeting  of  Session  per- 
sons were  received  into  the  membership  of  the  Church, 
but  only  after  most  careful  and  thorough  examination. 
The  growth  of  the  Church,  though  not  rapid,  was  very  en- 
couraging. In  the  minutes  of  Session  the  Pastor  often  re- 
marks that,  "The  deeply  interesting  state  of  things  in  our 
congregation  was  the  subject  of  conversation." 

In  the  Sessional  Report  to  the  Presbytery  of  Newton 
in  1841,  Mr.  Webster  writes  :      "  During  the  pasu  year  the 

■^Rev.  Andrew  B.  Cross. 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


attendance  on  public  worship  has  been  good,  but  since  the 
commencement  of  1841,  there  has  been  manifestly  an  in- 
creased interest  in  the  service  of  God's  House,  and  so 
striki.igly  did  the  Divine  interposition  appear,  that  the 
Pastor  began  about  the  middle  of  March  to  preach  regu- 
larly nearly  every  night  in  the  week.  A  blessing  followed 
this  service,  developing  itself  in  the  enlargement  of  the 
spirit  of  prayer,  and  in  the  union  and  activity  of  Chris- 
tians. These  services  were  continued  with  but  little  inter- 
mission for  four  weeks.  They  were  accompanied  by  pas- 
toral visitation  and  conversation  in  private  with  those  who 
were  disquieted  in  their  minds.  The  weekly  prayer-meet- 
ings and  the  female  prayer-meetings  have  been  attended 
regularly  and  with  increasing  interest.  At  no  period  of 
our  history  have  the  prospects  of  our  congregation  in  a 
spiritual  point  of  view,  been  so  delightful  and  encourag- 
ing as  at  the  present  time."* 

In  April,  1842,  we  find  in  the  Report  of  Session  to 
Presbytery  even  greater  encouragements.  "During  the 
past  year  there  has  been  good  attendance  on  public  wor- 
ship, and  upon  the  preaching  of  the  Word  and  the  meet- 
ings for  prayer,  and  for  the  last  six  months  there  has  been 
a  larger  attendance  than  at  any  former  period,  and  there 
has  been  much  to  encourage  the  hope  that  God  was  mov- 
ing   in   many  hearts.     Six  persons    have   been  added  on 


"Session  Book,  Vol.  i.  pp.  ;^2'  34- 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  I9 

profession  of  their  faith,  and  others  have  applied  but  their 
request  was  not  granted  that  they  might  have  further  op- 
portunity of  increasing  their  knowledge  and  testing 
their  stability."^ 

The  narrative  of  Religion,  April  2nd,  1843,  sounds 
like  a  psalm  of  praise  and  thanksgiving.  As  the  only  writ- 
ten record  of  the  great  revival  of  1842  we  feel  that  almost 
every  word  will  be  of  deep  interest.  "  Since  the 
month  of  February,  1S42,  encouraging  tokens  were  observ- 
able; our  number  of  members  rose  to  fifty.  The  deep 
interest  manifested  by  teachers  and  scholars  in  our  Sabbath- 
school,  and  the  increasing  attendance  on  the  sanctuary 
seemed  to  promise  a  season  of  refreshing.  During  the 
summer,  five  or  six  were  added  to  the  Church,  but  upon 
the  Sabbath  in  September  appointed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly as  a  day  of  humiliation  and  prayer,  the  gracious 
presence  of  God  was  displayed.  In  the  course  of  four  or 
five  weeks,  upwards  of  sixty  persons  were  brought  into  a 
state  of  deep  distress  ;  they  were  humbled  on  account  of 
their  sins,  and  mercifully  led,  as  we  hope,  to  Christ.  All 
was  accomplished  by  the  ordinary  services  of  the  Pastor, 
in  visiting  and  preaching,  and  by  the  faithful  co  operation 
and  persevering  prayers  of  the  people  of  God.  Many  who 
have  long  been  disquieted  with  a  sense  of  their  lost  con- 
dition and  vileness,  now  begin  to  rejoice   in   Christ,-  and 

■^Session  Book,  Vol.  1,  p.  36. 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


careless  open  neglecters,  roused  by  some  inconsiderable 
circumstances  to  think  about  their  souls,  pressed  into  the 
kingdom  of  God.  The  interest  excited  in  the  temperance 
reformation  was  doubtless  a  good  preparative  in  the  case 
of  many  ;  they  considered  the  question  of  their  duty  in 
regard  to  intoxicating  drinks,  and  thus  having  recognized 
their  responsibility,  their  awakened  conscience  led  them 
to  deeper  and  heart-searching  inquiries.  The  improve- 
ment in  our  village  in  respect  to  peacefulness,  Sabbath- 
keeping,  attendance  un  public  worship  and  in  domestic 
happiness  is  manifest  and  deserving  of  devout  acknowl- 
edgement. During  the  year,  fourteen  husbands  with  their 
wives,  have  professed  their  faith  in  Christ ;  very  few  who 
are  quite  young  have  been  received  to  the  communion. 
Fifty-six  have  been  gathered  in  and  we  have  reason  to 
hope  that  many  more  will  ere  long  be  welcomed  to  the 
Table  of  the  Lord. 

"As  a  result  of  this  precious  awakening,  we  note  : 

1.  The  eiiiargement  of  our  congregation  by  at  least 
one-third,  and  the  increase  of  regular  and  solemn  atten- 
dance on  the  house  of  God. 

2.  The  prosperity  of  our  Sabbath-school.  It  is  un- 
der the  care  of  Session  and  was  a  prime  cause  under  God 
of  preparing  many  souls  to  receive  the  word  with  gladness. 
We  have  now  twenty-four  teachers,  a  large  proportion  of 
whom  have  newly  entered  on  the  work,  to  supply  vacan- 
cies occasioned   by  removal,  and  to  take  charge  of  new 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  21 

classes.  Fifteen  teachers  have  given  themselves  publicly 
to  the  Lord,  nearly  all  the  others  were  either  previously 
communicants  or  are  hopefully  converted.  A  considerable 
number  of  the  scholars  are,  we  trust,  objects  of  renewing 
grace. 

3.  Social  meetings  have  been  established,  and  kept 
up  with  interest.  Beside  the  weekly  lecture  on  Wednes- 
day, there  have  been  through  the  winter  a  prayer  meeting 
on  Tuesday,  a  female  prayer  meeting  on  Thursday,  and  a 
young  men's  prayer  meeting  on  Friday.  In  these  nearly 
all  our  communicants  take  part. 

4.  A  small  neighborhood  distant  four  miles,  has 
been  visited,  a  prayer  meeting  established,  and  a  Sabbath- 
school  gathered  with  six  teachers  and  thirty  scholars.  Not 
a  few  of  the  residents  there  assemble  punctually  with  us  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  nearly  every  person,  male  or  female  is 
present  at  the  semi-monthly  preaching  of  the  Gospel  there. 

5.  There  is  also  an  adult  Bible  class,  conducted  by 
one  of  the  Elders  on  Sabbath  afternoon  with  happy  results. 

"The  Session  cannot  fail  to  record  that  the  chief  and 
honored  instrumentality  in  all  the  good  that  has  been  done, 
was  the  one  appointed  of  God,  viz:  the  steady,  uniform 
declaration  and  enforcement  of  divine  truth, — visiting  fre- 
quently and  carefully  from  house  to  house,  especially  in 
seasons  of  distress,  family  and  Sabbath-school  instructions, 
and  the  working  of  the  people  with  the  Pastor  in  secret 
prayer,  social   meetings,  and  private  and  affectionate  ex 


22  HISTORYOFTHE 

hortation  and  entreaty.  These  were  the  means,  and  they 
were  carefully,  and  abundantly  and  patiently  used,  but 
God  gave  the  increase. 

"On  the  review  of  the  undeserved  mercy  of  the  Lord 
toward  us,  we  see  that  we  have  abundant  reason  for  thanks- 
giving, and  we  feel  solemnly  called  to  labor  with  our 
might  from  henceforth  and  with  hope.  The  congregation 
is  united  and  growing,  the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel  are 
plainly  and  steadily  preached,  and  we  rejoice  to  believe 
that  many  are  growing  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour.     To  God  be  the  praise."* 

Of  this  precious  revival  Dr.  Ferrier  said:  "  It  dif- 
fered from  other  revivals  in  its  depth  and  thoroughness, 
and  in  the  fact  that  it  extended  beyond  the  congregation. 
Conviction  of  sin  came  upon  men  with  a  peculiar  pungeny 
while  they  were  at  their  work.  There  was  a  singular  awe 
in  the  stores,  and  shops,  and  offices.  It  was  such  a  revival 
as  is  needed  now,  A  revival  in  a  congregation  and  in  a 
Sabbath-school  is  a  matter  for  devout  thankfulness,  but  is 
there  not  a  power  somewhere  to  reach  those  who  never 
enter  the  church  ?  In  the  annual  report  for  1842,  though 
there  were  only  fifty  members  of  the  Church,  sixty-one 
additional  members  were  received  during  that  year.  It 
was  a  blessing  and  an  ingathering  that  gave  an  impulse  to 
the  Church  that  is  felt  to  this  hour."f 

^Session  Book,  Vol,  i,  p.  43-45. 
f  Historical  Sermon. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN    -CHURCH.  23 

"  In  May,  1843,  ^^""^  General  Assembly  (Old  School), 
set  off  this  Church  from  the  Presbytery  of  Newton,  to  be 
with  several  others  erected  into  the  Presbytery  of  Lu- 
zerne.'"^ 

For  several  successive  years  there  is  a  sad  tone  in  the 
Sessional  Records  regarding  the  spiritual  interests  of  the 
Church.  Again  and  again  in  the  Annual  Narrative  of 
Religion  does  the  Pastor  lament  the  condition  of  the 
Church,  and  his  heart  is  over-whelmed  with  sorrow  as  he 
mourns  the  indifference  of  those  in  whose  spiritual  welfare 
he  was  so  deeply  interested.  In  1844  ^"le  writes:  "There 
has  been  a  remarkable  indifference  on  the  part  of  those 
who  are  out  of  the  Church.  >f=  *  *  And  over  this  la- 
mentable state  of  things,  the  professed  followers  of  Christ 
have  not  mourned.  *  *  Great  searchings  of  heart  are 
needed,  for  there  is  none  that  stirreth  up  himself  to  take 
hold  on  God."t 

Again,  in  April,  1845:  "Lack  of  interest  in  the  meet 
ings  for  prayer  and  in  the  public  services  of  God's  House 
has  been  painfully  apparent.  The  love  of  many  has  wax.d 
cold.  Still  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Word, 
regularly,  faithfully,  and  earnestly  preached  has  been  bless- 
ed to  the  strengthening  in  grace  of  some  of  God's  people, 
and   we   hope  that  there  are  in   our  congregation   several 


^Session  Book,  Vol.  2,  p.  i. 
fSession  Book  Vol.  i,p.  41. 


24  HISTORYOFTHE 

whom  the  Holy  Spirit  is  making  ready  as  a  people  prepar- 
ed for  the  Lord."* 

'^^Lugust  9,  1848.  The  lamentable  decline  of  relig- 
ion being  of  long  continuance  and  sadly  on  the  increase 
it  was  resolved  that  a  letter  to  each  member  of  our  Church 
be  prepared,  "t 

One  who  was  a  member  of  our  Church  at  that  time 
has  written:  "Especially  on  one  occasion  I  remember  how 
deeply  he  was  affected.  His  heart  seemed  overwhelmed 
within  him.  I  went,  in  company  with  a  mutual  friend  of 
his  and  mine,  with  a  view  of  administering  some  word  of 
comfort.  He  freely  unbosomed  to  us  his  whole  soul;  and 
truly  his  feelings  were  such  as  could  arise  from  nothing  less 
than  the  most  vivid  apprehension  of  spiritual  things,  the 
value  of  the  soul,  and  the  worth  of  the  Saviour."  J; 

At  last  the  cloud  lifted  :  in  1849,  nia^ny  encourage- 
ments are  noted  and  the  spiritual  and  temporal  interests  of 
the  Church  began  to  advance. 

The  anniversary  of  the  first  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  the  first  Sabbath  in  December,  was  fre- 
quently "  Set  apart  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  to  record  the 
Lord's  goodness  to  us  as  a  people."  At  this  time,  in  1848, 
the  Pastor  records:  '^  The  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per was  administered,  it   being  the  commencement  of  the 


*Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  58. 

flbid,  p.  62. 

JRev.  James  Scott,  in  Biographical  Sketch. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  25 

fourteenth  year  of  the  Pastor's  stated  labors  here,  and  tlie 
fourteenth  anniversary  of  the  administration  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  Of  the  eighty-seven  communicants  belonging  to 
the  Church,  fifty-two  partook  of  the  ordinances  *  *  the 
absence  of  nine  only  being  unexplained.''  * 

On  another  anniversary  the  Session  invited  the  Rev. 
D.  X.  Junkin,  D.  D.  to  be  present  and  preach  the  sermon. 

*' By  the  year  1850,  the  congregation  had  grown  so 
rapidly  that  a  new  and  larger  church  was  necessary.  In 
September  1855,  or  five  years  after  the  first  agitation  of  the 
subject,  the  corner  stone  of  the  present  house  of  worship 
was  laid.  Addresses  were  made  by  the  Pastor,  Rev.  Mr. 
Webster,  Rev.  Mr.  Glen,  of  Tamaqua,  and  Rev.  Thomas 
P.  Hunt,  of  Wyoming."! 

The  last  entry  made  in  the  Session  Book  by  Mr.  Web- 
ster bears  the  date  of  April  4  th,  1856,  and  relates  to  the 
examination  and  reception  into  the  Church  of  some  new 
members,  and  to  the  regular  work  of  Session.  At  this 
time  also,|he  notes  that  there  are  now  in  the  communion  o 
our  Church  one  hundred  and  three  persons. 

The  next  entry,  written  by  Elder  Charles  G.  Rock- 
wood,  reads:  ''June  19th,  1856.  The  Pastor  of  this 
Church,  Rev.  Richard  Webster,  died  this  day  at  a  quarter 
before  twelve  o'clock,  A.  M.,  in  calm  and  peaceful  depend- 


*Ses.sion  Book,  Vol.  i.  pp.  68,  69. 
f  Dr.  Ferrier's  Historical  Sermon. 


26  II  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F     T  H  E 

ence  upon  the  atonement  and  righteousness  of  the  Saviour, 
and  in  assured  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality.  With  strong 
faith  he  committed  the  Church  as  well  as  his  family  to  the 
care  of  a  faithful  God."  * 

A  few  days  later,  resolutions  expressive  of  the  feelings 
of  Session  on  the  loss  of  our  late  Pastor,"  prepared  by 
Elder  Smith,  were  adopted  and  spread  on  the  Session  Book. 
We  make  a  few  extracts:  "Whereas,  it  has  pleased  God,  in 
His  all-wise  Providence,  on  the  19th  day  of  June,  1856, 
to  remove  from  us  to  the  rest  prepared  for  His  people,  our 
much  loved  Pastor,  the  Rev.  Richard  Webster,  in  the 
forty-fith  year  of  his  age,  after  twenty-one  years  of  zealous 
labor  in  the  cause  of  Christ.    Therefore 

'■'■Resolved,  That  we  hereby  bear  our  testimony  to  the 
zeal  and  energy  with  which  he  our  first  and  only  Pastor 
labored  among  us  during  the  whole  of  his   ministerial  life. 

^'ResoiVed,  That  while  we  mourn  his  loss  as  a  mission- 
ary, pastor,  presbyter,  friend  and  brother,  we  humbly  bow 
to  the  will  of  God,  thanking  Him  for  being  permitted  to 
witness  in  his  peaceful  death,  the  power  of  that  faith,  love 
and  sustaining  grace  which  he  so  often  preached  to  others,  "f 

The  same  week,  a  special  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Luzerne,  was  held  at  Scranton,  "to  take  into  consideration 
matters  connected  with  the  death  of  Rev.  Richard  Webster, 
Stated  Clerk  of  Presbytery  and  Chairman  of  the  Commit. 

*Session  Book,  Vol.  11,  p.  52. 
f  Session  Book  Vol.  11,  p.  52. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  27 


tee  on  Domestic  missions."  The  resolutions  adopted  bv 
Presbytery  were  ordered  to  be  read  in  the  Church  on  Sab- 
bath, July  6  th,  and  also  copied  in  the  Session  Book.  Pres- 
bytery records  its  ''grief  at  the  loss  of  our  greatly  beloved 
Brother,  valued  co-presbyter  and  Stated  Clerk,  an  able 
and  judicious  counsellor,  a  warm-hearted  and  zealous  fel- 
low-laborer and  the  founder  of  this  Presbytery."  Also,  that 
the  "  Church  of  Christ  has  been  deprived  of  an  erudite 
historian,  as  well  as  earnest  and  faithful  minister ;  this 
great  missionary  field,  of  a  fearless  and  indefatigable  pio- 
neer-missionaiy;  and  humanity,  of  a  willing  and  trusty 
friend."* 

"  What  a  legacy  has  been  left  to  this  Church  !  I  fear 
that  you  do  not  prize  it  as  you  ought.  Such  a  memory  is 
more  than  gold.  It  should  make  this  people  devoted  and 
thankful.  The  talents,  the  piety,  the  consecration  of  you^ 
first  Pastor  might  have  given  him  an  honored  place  in  some 
of  the  prominent  pulpits  in  the  land.  He  sought  alone  the 
higher  honor  that  comes  from  winning  souls  to  Jesus.  He 
chose  to  give  his  time,  his  culture,  his  talents,  his  very  life 
to  you;  with  you  he  lived  and  labored  and  died.  Being 
dead  he  yet  speaks.  O  let  him  always  speak  to  your  hearts. 
His  example  and  his  life  yet  linger  in  blessed  memory 
around  the  homes  of  this  town.  Though  other  pastors 
have  followed  him,  something  imperishably  connected  with 
him  yet  walks  here  among  his  beloved  flock,  visiting  their 
*Session  Book  Vol.  11,  p.  54. 


H  I  S  1'  O  R  Y     O  F     ']■  H  E 


homes,  cotiif :)rting  tr.e  mourner,  warning  the  careless  and 
teaching  the  ignorant,  and  in  this  pulpit  reasoning  of  right- 
eousness and  temperance  and  judgment." 

July  2oth,  1856,  or  less  than  one  year  after  the  laying 
of  the  corner-sione,  tlie  basement  was  occupied  for  public 
worship.  Elder  Charles  G.  Rockwood  writes:  "The 
congregation  and  Sunday-school  to-day  abandoned  the 
old  churcli  building,  and  public  school  building,  and  re- 
moved to  the  new: — the  basement  of  which  being  now 
finished  will  hereafter  be  occupied  for  public  worship  un- 
til the  edifice  is  completed.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  E. 
Vermilye,  of  the  ("olleg:ate  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  New 
York  City,  preached  in  the  new  room  morning  and  even- 
ing. *  ''•'  "'"  This  occasion,  as  an  earnest  of  the  fulfill- 
ment of  long  deferred  hopes  for  the  completion  of  the  new 
C-hurch,  so  much  needed  ;  was  a  pleasant  and  cheering 
one,  notwithstanding  the  deeply  felt  absence  of  the  Pastor 
whose  voice  (now  tuned  to  the  melodies  of  Heaven)  we 
had  so  fondly  hoped  to  hear  in  the  new  house.  The  Lec- 
ture Room  is  commodious  and  pleasant  for  public  worship, 
and  (with  a  separate  room  for  the  Infant  School)  affords  to 
the  Sunday-schools  ample  and  r/^^^///// accommodations  in 
great  contrast  with  the  public  school  rooms  heretofore 
occupied. "f 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  on  the  24th  of  Nov- 


*Dr.  P'enier's  Historical  Sermon. 
•j-Session  Book,  Vol.  ii,  p.  55. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH,  29 

ember,  1856,  a  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  J.  Aspinwall 
Hodge,  a  licentiate  under  the  care  of  the  First  Presbytery 
of  Philadelphia,  to  become  Pastor  of  this  Church,  The  call 
was  accepted  and  on  the  21st  of  December,  1856,  at  the 
request  of  Session,  Mr.  Hodge  began  his  labors  here  as 
Stated  Supply. 

The  Narrative  of  Religion,  prepared  by  Elder  Rock- 
wood,  April,  1857,  is  of  especial  interest.  "  The  last  year 
has  been  an  eventful  one  to  our  Church,  and  while  it  has 
wrought  deep  affliction,  in  the  removal  by  death  of  our 
lamented  Pastor,  Rev.  Richard  Webster,  has  stiil  been 
marked  with  prosperity  in  the  affairs  of  the  Church,  and 
wuth  unusual  encouragement  to  labor  more  prayerfully  and 
earnestly  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  Increased  attention 
to  the  preaching  of  the  truth  was  observable  before  the 
death  of  our  Pastor,  A  marked  seriousness  followed  our 
bereavement,  and  it  is  thought  that  some  souls  may  trace 
their  first  serious  impressions  to  the  death-bed  scene  which 
was  ])eculiarly  impressive.  *  =i<  ^k  *  ^j-  jj-^g  recent 
Communion,  ten  persons  were  added  to  the  Church,  on 
profession  of  their  faith,  one  being  a  scholar  in  the  Sab- 
bath-school ;  and  others  are  hopefully  serious,  giving 
reason  to  trust  that  God's  Holy  Spirit  is  present  with  us. 
During  the  year,  fourteen  have  united  with  the  Church  on 
profession  of  their  faith,  of  whom  twelve  were  heads  of 
families.  ^  ^^  *  ^^  'p|-,g  Monthly  Concert  for  Prayer 
is  regularly  observed.     An  improvement  over  former  years 


^O  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F    T  H  E 


is  shown  in  our  contributions  for  Missionary  and  Congre- 
gregational  purposes.  -^  -^  *  One  hundred  and  ten  are 
now  in  communion.  Finally — we  are  at  peace  among 
ourselves,  and  as  a  congregation,  entirely  united."  * 

The  Presbytery  of  Luzerne  held  its  regular  Spring 
meeting  here  in  1857,  and  on  the  evening  of  April  22nd, 
Rev.  J.  Aspinvvall  Hodge  was  ordained,  and  installed 
Pastor.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Charles 
Hodge,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  D.,  of  Princeton  Theological  Semi- 
nary ;  the  charge  to  the  Pastor  was  given  by  the  Rev.  A. 
G.  Harned,  and  the  charge  to  the  people  by  the  Rev. 
John  Johnson.  The  pastoral  relation  constituted  at  that 
time   continued  eight  years. 

Mr.  Hodge  came  to  our  Church  a  young  man,  fresh 
from  his  theological  studies  at  Princeton,  full  of  zeal  and 
determination  to  do  his  work  faithfully  and  well.  He  bore 
the  name  which  stands  so  high  in  the  history  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  which  holds  such  an  honored  place  in 
her  ministry  and  eldership,  and  which  is  known  and  loved 
by  all  Presbyterians.  "  Our  Mr.  Hodge  "  has  by  a  long 
and  faithful  ministry,  by  unswerving  devotion  to  the  purity 
of  our  beloved  Church  in  doctrine  and  government  added 
new  lustre  to  that  honored  name. 

Mr.  Hodge  began  his  ministry  here  with  all  the  en- 
thusiasm and  love  of  his  nature,  and  our  written  records 


■^Session  Book  Vol.  ii,  p.  65,  66. 


REW  J.  ASPINWALL  HODCE.   D.   E. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  3I 

as  well  as  the  testimony  of  those  who  loved  him  attest  his 
faithfulness  and  care  ps  Pastor.  During  his  pastorate  the 
fearful  shadow  of  the  great  Civil  War  rested  on  our  land, 
and  political  excitement  interfered  sadly  with  the  spiritual 
interests,  the  peace  and  harmor,y  of  many  churches.  But 
through  it  all  our  Church  was  kept  by  the  loving  care  of 
God,  and  at  last  peace  and  unity  were  restored  to  our 
land. 

"  Under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Hodge,  the  Church 
made  good  progress.  The  house  of  worship  was  com- 
pleted, the  congregation  increased  in  numbers,  and  though 
there  was  no  extensive  revival,  many  from  time  to  time 
were  added  to  the  Church.  During  the  eight  years  of  his 
ministry  about  one  hundred  were  added  to  the  commu- 
nion of  the  Church."* 

In  1858,  the  Session  resolved  '*to  hold  a  prayer-meet- 
ing in  the  Lecture  room  every  Sabbath  morning  at  ten 
o'clock  to  beseech  God  to  bless  His  Word  in  the  conver- 
sion of  those  who  are  out  of  Christ."  Many  have  spoken 
of  these  early  meetings  as  seasons  of  prayer  very 
precious  to  their  souls.  The  Pastor  also  held  a  prayer- 
meeting  for  young  men. 

On  June  12th,  1859,  an  event  of  great  importance  in 
our  history  took  place,  wlien  the  new  Church  was  solemnly 
dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  By  special  request  of 
Session  the  Rev.  D.  X.  Junkin,  D.  D.,  who  had  been  so 

*Dr.  Ferrier's  Historical  Sermon. 


32  HISTORY     OFT  HE 

closely  associated  with  this  Church  from  the  day  of  its  or- 
ganization, preached  the  sermon.  The  dedicatory  prayer 
was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  P.  Hunt.  In  the  eve- 
ning, the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Charles  W, 
Shields,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia. 

"  February  nth,  1865,  the  Pastor  requested  the  Ses- 
sion to  grant  him  permission  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  con- 
gregation to  unite  with  him  in  petitioning  Presbytery  to 
dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  which  had  existed  eight 
years.  "■^'  The  congregational  meeting  was  held  on  the 
20th  of  February,  and  Mr.  Hodge's  request  granted  "with 
great  regret."  The  resolutions  adopted  at  the  meeting 
and  entered  on  the  Session  Book  mention  that,  '*  By  his  ur- 
banity and  gentlemanly  deportment,  by  his  Christian  zeal 
and  faithfulness  as  a  Pastor  :  and  by  his  untiring  devotion 
to  the  spiritual  as  well  as  temporal  interests  of  this  Church, 
Mr.  Hodge  has  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his  people  and 
will  always  be  remembered  by  them  with  grateful  affec- 
tion."f 

Soon  after  leaving  Mauch  Chunk,  Mr.  Hodge  accepted 
a  call  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Hartford,  Conn., 
and  remained  there  twenty-six  years  (1866-1892.)  In  1874, 
Princeton  College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doc- 
tor of  Divinity.     In  1892,  Dr.  Hodge  resigned  his  pastoral 


^•Session  Book,  Vol.  ii,  p.  140. 
fSession  Book,  Vol.  11,  p.  142. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  ^^ 

charge  on  account  of  bis  health,  and  was  at  once  made 
Pastor  Emeritus.  In  1893,  he  accepted  the  professorship 
of  the  English  Bible  in  Lincoln  University.  In  addition 
to  his  labors  as  Pastor,  Presbyterand  Professor,  Dr.  Hodge 
has  written  and  published  several  valuable  books.  His 
largest  and  most  important  book,  "What  is  Presbyterian 
Law?"  has  proved  invaluable  to  Pastors  and  Sessions, 
Besides  all  these  services  to  the  Church  he  loves  so  well, 
Dr.  Hodge  has  given  three  sons  to  her  ministry. 

For  almost  a  year  after  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Hodge, 
our  pulpit  was  supplied  with  great  satisfaction  to  the 
people,  by  the  Rev.  Charles  J.  Collins,  of  Wilkes-Barre. 
During  that  time  the  congregation  extended  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Sheddan,  of  Rahway,  New  Jersey.  To  the  dis- 
appointment of  many,  the  call  was  declined.  Again, 
March  26th,  1866,  a  "hearty  and  unanimous  call  was 
given  to  the  Rev.  F.  R.  Masters,  of  Matteawan,  New  York." 
The  call  was  prosecuted  before  the  Presbytery  of  North 
River  by  commissioners  from  our  Church,  who  represented 
the  great  need  of  a  pastor,  and  the  unanimity  of  the  desire 
for  Mr.  Masters.  Presbytery,  after  hearing  both  sides, 
and  carefully  considering  the  Question,  decided  that  in 
view  of  the  extreme  reluctance  of  the  people  at  Matteawan 
to  part  with  their  Pastor,  the  call  should  not  be  placed  in 
Mr.  Masters'  hands.  "So  our  Church  found  itself  still 
without  a  Pastor." 

Later,    in  the  same   year,  a  unanimous  call  was  given. 


34  H  I  ^  '1'  O  R  Y     O  F     T  H  E 

to  the  Rev.  Jacob  Belville,  of  Holmesburg,  Pa.  Mr.  Bel- 
ville  accepted  the  call  and  was  installed  Pastor,  November 
1st,  1866.  Rev.  Dr.  Newlin,  of  Hazleton,  preached  the 
sermon,  Rev.  Mr.  Park,  of  Pittston,  delivered  the  charge 
to  the  Pastor,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hickok,  of  Scranton,  the 
charge  to  the  congregation. 

Under  Dr.   Belville's  ministry,  our  Church  was  richly 
])lessed,  temporally  and  spiritually.     A  decided  advance  in 
every    respect   was    made.     The    congregation,    perfectly 
united    and    harmonious,  was  enlarged   and  strengthened 
and  able  to  undertake  more  aggressive  work.     The  bur- 
den  of  debt  which  had  rested  upon   the  Church  for  many 
years  was  removed.     x\t  that  time,  the  bell    whichhas  all 
these   years   called   the   people   to   the   house  of  God,  and 
which  is  associated  with  so  much  of  our  Church  life,  was 
given  by  that  generous  aud  devoted  friend,  Mrs.  Andrew 
A.  Douglas.      But  no  adequate  mention  can  be  made  here 
of  the  unfailing  liberality  of  this  noble  friend  whose  name 
is  enrolled    on  high   among   those  holy   women,    who  on 
earth  ministered  to  our  Lord  of  their  substance.    The  con- 
tributions, for  all  causes,  were  larger  than  ever  before,  and 
constantly  advanced   by  the   Pastor's  faithful  and  earnest 
presentation  of  the  work  of  the  Boards  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church. 

Mr.  Belville  was  very  active  in  his  pastoral  work,  and 
until  failing  health  compelled  him  to  give  up  much  of  the 
work  in  which  he  so  delighted,  he  held  three  prayer  meet- 


REV.  JACOB  BELVILLE,  D.   D. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  35 

iiigs  each  week,  had  three  Sabbath-schools  under  his  care, 
and  frequently  preached  three  times  on  the  Lord's  Day. 

In  1871,  the  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  given  to 
Mr.  Belville  by  Lafayette  College. 

After  the  re-union  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Presbv- 
terian  Church,  in  1870,  the  historic  Presbytery  of  Luzerne, 
was  dissolved,  and  it  no  longer  appears  on  the  roll  of  the 
General  Assembly.  While  its  history  has  not  yet  been 
fully  written,  Luzerne  Presbytery  has  a  permanent  and 
glorious  memorial  in  its  vast  missionary  work  in  the  coal 
fields,  and  in  the  large  and  flourishing  churches  organized 
by  it  and  sustained  for  many  years  by  its  wise  and  loving 
care.  As  it  was  largely  through  the  niissionary  work  and 
unwearied  zeal  of  the  first  Pastor  of  our  Church  that  the 
need  for  thePresbytery  of  Luzerne  arose,  we  have  a  peculiar 
interest  in  its  history.  June  22nd,  1870,  the  Presbytery  of 
Lehigh  was  organized  by  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  and 
the  Church  of  Mauch  Chunk  transferred  to  its  jurisdiction. 

In  1866,  Session  decided  to  change  the  lime  of  the 
administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  since  that  time 
it  has  been  celebrated  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  January, 
April,  July  and  October. 

In  January,  1873,  ^r.  Belville  resigned  his  pastoral 
charge  here,  that  he  might  accept  a  call  to  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church,  of  Pottsville.  The  resolutions  adopted 
at  the  congregational  meeting  speak  of  the  rtgret  felt  by 
all  at   the  dissolution  of  this   pastoral   relation,  and    also 


36  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     C)  F     T  H  E 

record  the  high  appreciation  of  his  ''pastoral  fidelity  and 
Christian  worth,"  but  add  that  ''we  ought  not  in  any 
way  to  prevent  him  from  doing  what  appears  to  him  a 
duty." 

The  pastoral  relation,  which  had  existed  for  six  years 
and  three  months,  was  dissolved  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Lehigh  at  a  special  meeting  held  in  our  Church  in  Febru- 
ary, 1873. 

Dr.  Belville  continued  Pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  Pottsville,  until  1894,  when  he  resigned  and 
became  Pastor  Emeritus.  Dr.  Belville  has  enjoyed  the 
privilege  of  preaching  the  Gospel  for  fifty  years. 

In  June,  1873,  ^^^-  Kdsall  Ferrier,  of  Easton,  preached 
for  us,  and  at  the  urgent  request  of  Session  he  supplied  the 
pulpit  during  the  entire  Summer.  So  much  did  he  endear 
himself  to  the  people  that  he  was  unanimously  and  most 
enthusiastically  called  to  be  our  Pastor,  On  Friday  even- 
ing, October  31st,  1873,  ^^-  Ferrier  was  installed.  The 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  J.  Allen  Maxwell,  of 
Hazletou  :  the  charge  to  the  people  was  given  by  the  Rev. 
Wm.  C.  Cattell,  D.  D.,  President  'of  Lafayette  College, 
and  the  charge  to  the  Pastor,  by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Belville, 
D.  D.,  of  Pottsville. 

Almost  immediately  after  Mr.  Ferrier's  coming  to 
us,  a  deep  interest  in  spiritual  things  was  manifest,  and 
this  continued  during  his  entire  pastorate.  It  may  truth- 
fully be  said  that  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit 


REV.   EDSALf.  EERRIER,   D.   I). 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  37 

were  always  with  us  during  those  years.  We  refer,  not 
merely  to  the  numerous  additions  to  the  Church,  but  also 
to  the  fact  that  the  Lord's  people  were  continually  re- 
freshed and  strengthened  in  their  christian  life.  The 
weekly  prayer  meeting  was  largely  attended,  and  a  meet- 
ing for  the  young  people  was  sustained  with  much  interest 
and  enthusiasm.  Frequently  special  services  were  held 
and  always  welcomed  by  the  people.  The  Pastor  led  a 
short  prayer-meeting  before  service  on  Sabbath  morning, 
and  many  can  remember  the  pleasant  half  hour  spent  in 
the  Lecture  room.  A  strong  love  for  our  Church  was  de- 
veloped, and  many  of  our  most  active  members  feel  that 
they  owe  much  to  the  great  privilege  they  enjoyed  in  hav- 
ing Dr.  Ferrier's  training  and  teaching.  Lafayette  Col- 
lege conferred  the  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  on  our  Pas- 
tor in  1881. 

In  the  Week  of  Prayer,  1875,  ^"  unusual  religious  in- 
terest was  felt,  the  Lecture  room  was  filled  every  evening, 
and  many  professed  their  faith  in  Christ  as  a  personal  Sa- 
viour. We  find  the  following  minute  entered  ',by  Dr.  Fer- 
rier  :  "  Special  record  is  made  of  the  fact  that  on  our 
Communion  Sabbath,  January  12th,  1875,  sixty  persons 
sat  for  the  first  time  at  the  Table  of  our  Lord.  To  God 
be  all  the  glory  for  this  wonderful  work.  On  the  after- 
noon of  the  Sabbath  special  thanksgiving  services  were 
held,  recognizing  the  goodness  and  grace  of  God."* 

■■^Session  Book,  Vol.  iv,  p   6. 


^S  HISTORYOFTHE 

Again  :  '^  In  special  recognition  of  the  grace  of  God, 
we  record  the  fact  that  on  Sabbath  morning,  March  28th, 
1875,  thirty-eight  persons  took  their  places  for  the  first 
time  at  the  Lord's  Table. "^ 

Many  will  remember  this  revival  of  1875  as  one  which 
was  specially  blessed  to  their  souls. 

Again  we  read  :  '*  In  special  recognition  of  the  grace 
of  God,  we  record  that  on  Sabbath  morning,  January  nth, 
1880,  thirty  persons  took  their  seats  for  the  first  time  at 
the  Lord's  Table,  "t 

Under  Dr.  Ferrier's  ministry,  the  missionary  spirit  of 
our  Church  was  greatly  quickened  by  the  organization  of 
the  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  and  the  Foreign 
Mission  Bands  among  the  young  people  and  children. 
To  this  work,  Dr.  Ferrier  gave  from  the  first  his  unqualified 
approval  and  unfailing  support,  and  the  marked  success  of 
these  organizations  during  all  these  years  is  kirgely  owing 
to  him. 

Dr.  Ferrier  identified  himself  vvith  all  the  religious 
and  evangelistic  work  undertaken  by  some  of  the  young 
men  of  our  Church,  and  his  presence  at  the  Hose  House 
meetings  on  Sabbath  afternoon,  and  his  earnest  appeals  to 
the  railroad  men  were  blessed  to  the  salvation  of  many. 

In  1883,  Dr.  Ferrier  presented  his  resignation  on  ac- 
count of  failing  health,  but  he  was  urged  to  remain  Pastor 

^Session  Book,  Vol.  iv,  p.  8. 
f  Session  Book,  Vol.  iv,  p.  21, 


^ 

Ik 

^^s^^^^^ 

1^ 

^( 

I 

7?^F.    WEBSTER   WOODBURY 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  39 

and  take  a  long  vacation.  After  nearly  six  months  of 
absence  he  renewed  his  request,  saying  that  the  state  of  his 
health  convinced  him  that  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  he 
should  not  resume  his  labors  here.  With  great  sorrow  the 
congregation  acceded  to  this  urgent  request,  and,  ''  At  a 
special  meeting  of  Lehigh  Presbytery  held  in  Pottsville, 
January  15th,  1884,  the  pastoral  relation  between  the  Rev. 
Edsall  Ferrier,  D.  D  ,  and  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
of  Mauch  Chunk,  was  dissolved,  after  a  pastorate  of  ten 
years  and  two  months.""" 

Dr.  Ferrier  has  never  taken  another  pastoral  charge, 
but  has  devoted  himself  to  preaching,  active  evangelistic 
work  and  literary  labors.  In  1893,  ^""^  became  Professor 
of  Hebrew  in  Lafayette  College. 

November  23rd,  1884,  a  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev. 
Webster  Woodbury,  of  Foxboro,  Mass.,  a  minister  of  the 
Congregational  Church.  He  was  installed  Pastor  on  Feb- 
ruary 3rd,  1885.  Rev.  John  Pollock,  of  Allentown, 
preached  the  sermon ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Belville  gave  the 
charge  to  the  Pastor,  and  the  Rev. -Edsall  Ferrier,  D.  D., 
the  charge  to  the  congregation. 

Mr.  Woodbury's  pastorate  lasted  three  years  and  three 
months,  being  dissolved  at  his  request  by  Lehigh  Presby- 
tery on  the  17th  of  April,  1888. 

At  this  time  began  the  removal  from  town  of  many  of 

■^Session  Book,  Vol.  iv,  p.  31. 


40  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F     T  H  E 

our  active  and  useful  members.  These  losses  were  sadden- 
ing and  discouraging  to  Mr.  Woodbury  as  they  have  been 
to  his  successors.  Mr.  Woodbury  was  deeply  interested 
in  the  young  people,  and  the  Society  of  Christian  En- 
deavor was  organized  by  him,  and  owes  much  to  his  lov- 
ing, faithful  care  and  guidance. 

During  this  pastorate,  our  Chapel,  in  East  Mauch 
Chunk,  was  built  and  dedicated.  Mr.  Woodbury  was  very 
devoted  to  the  Sabbath-school,  and  all  the  work  of  our 
people  in  East  Mauch  Chunk.  Mr.  Woodbury  left  us  to 
accept  a  call  to  the  Congregational  Church,  in  Milford, 
Mass.,  where  he  is  still  engaged  in  active  and  successful 
pastoral  work. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  1SS8,  a  unanimous  call  was 
given  to  the  Rev.  W.  P.  Stevenson,  Pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  at  West  Bellevue,  Pa.  Mr.  Stevenson  was 
installed  on  September  2Sth,  1888.  Tlie  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  Rev.  Douglas  Carliie,  of  Easton,  the 
charge  to  the  Pastor  was  given  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Belville, 
and  that  to  the  people  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ferrier. 

Mr.  Stevenson's  pastorate  was  a  time  of  great  pros- 
perity to  our  Church  in  almost  every  respect.  The  services 
on  Sabbath  were  well  attended,  as  were  all  of  the  week- 
night  meetings;  the  benevolent  contributions  were  larger 
than  in  previous  years^  and  at  the  close  of  his  ministry 
here  Mr.  Stevenson  was  able  to  record:  "The  prosper- 
ous condition  of  all  departments  of  Church  work." 


REV.    WILLIAM  P.  STEVENSON. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  4I 

'  The  Week  of  Prayer,  18S9,  was  of  unusual  interest  and 
solemnity.  The  Lecture  room  was  crowded  every  night, 
and  a  deep  religious  interest  pervaded  all  the  services.  In 
view  of  this  interest,  Session  decided  to  continue  the  meet- 
ings another  week,  during  which,  the  large  attendance  and 
the  interest  were  very  marked.  A  number  were  received 
into  the  communion  of  the  church  at  that  time  and  during 
the  following  months..  Mr.  Stevenson,  writes,  April 
14th,  1889:  "The  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  ob- 
served this  morning  by  a  large  congregation.  We  note  it 
as  worthy  of  special,  thanksgiving,  that  within  the  past  six 
months,  one  hundred  names  have  been  added  to  our  roll, 
eighty  four  by  profession  and  sixteen  by  certificate."^ 

Again,  April  13th,  1890:  "The  Session  desire  to 
put  on  record  their  gratitude  to  God  for  the  many  tokens 
of  His  love  and  favor  granted  to  us  during  tlie  past  few 
months.  Our  house  of  worship  has  been  most  beautifully 
remodeled  and  adorned,  large  congregations  assemble 
morning  and  evening  to  hear  the  Gospel  preached  and 
harmony  prevails. "f 

In  March,  1891,  Mr.  Stevenson  received  a  call  to  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Titusville,  Pa.,  which  he 
accepted.  The  pastoral  relation  which  had  existed  two 
years  and  seven  months  was  dissolved  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Lehigh,  in  April,  1891. 

•5^Session  Book,  Vol.  iv,  p.  82, 
f  Session  Book,  Vol.  iv,  p.  S7. 


42  HISTORYOFTHE 

At  a  congregational  meeting,  September  ist,  1891, 
the  Rev.  D.  M.  Buchanan,  Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  at  Oceanville,  New  York,  was  called  to  be  our  Pas- 
tor. Mr.  Buchanan  was  installed  December  3rd,  1891. 
The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Belville.  The 
charge  to  the  Pastor  was  given  by  the  Rev.  Charles  Ruth- 
erford, of  Springfield,  N.  Y.,  and  the  charge  to  the  people 
by  the  Rev.  George  C.  Heckman,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  D,,  of 
Reading. 

During  all  these  years,  our  Church  has  grown  and  pros- 
pered. As  we  have  seen,  many  have  from  time  to  time 
been  added  to  our  number.  The  little  Church  organized  in 
1835  with  twenty-four  members,  reported  to  the  General  As- 
sembly this  year,  1895,  ^  membership  of  four  hundred  and 
fifteen. 

As  the  present  pastorate  is  happily  not  yet  a  matter 
of  history,  it  does  not  come  within  the  limits  of  this  sketch. 
We  trust  that  it  may  long  continue  as  prosperous  and  har- 
monious as  it  has  been  these  past  four  years,  and  that  the 
blessing  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  may  ever  rest 
upon  Pastor  and  people. 


REl'.  Di'XCAX  .V.   nCCNAXAX. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  43 


THE     SESSION. 


"The  Church  Session  is  charged  with  maintaining  the 
spiritual  government  of  the  congregation;  for  which  purpose 
they  have  power  to  inquire  into  the  knowledge  and  chris- 
tian conduct  of  the  members  of  the  Church;  *  *  *  *  to  re- 
ceive members  into  the  Church;  to  admonish,  to  rebuke,  to 
suspend,  or  exclude  from,  the  Sacrament,  those  who  .ire 
four:d  to  deserve  censure;  to  concert  the  best  measures  for 
promoting  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  congregation;  and 
to  appoint  delegates  to  the  higher  judicatories  of  the 
Church."  * 

Immediately  after  the  organization  of  our  Church 
(Nov.  ist,  1835,)  three  Ruling  Elders  were  elected  and  or- 
dained. These  were,  Messrs.  John  Simpson,  James  Big- 
ger and  George  W.  Smith.  From  early  in  1838  until  1842, 
Mr.  Smith  was  the  only  Elder,  and  he  and  Mr  Webster 
constituted  the  Session.  The  Sessional  records  of  those 
four  years  show  a  vast  amount  of  work  done  thoroughly 
and  faithfully.  At  that  time,  Mr.  Webster  gave  one-fourth 
of  his  time  to  Summit  Hill,  and  Elder  Smith  conducted  ser- 
vices on  the  Sabbath  he  was  absent. 

April  13th,  1842,  Mr.  John  Ruddle  and   Dr.  John  D. 

"^Form  of  Government,  Chap,  ix  ,  Sect.  v.. 


44  HISTORYOFTHE 


Thompson  were  elected  Elder.s.  As  the  Session  had  so 
much  to  do  in  the  early  days  of  the  Church,  we  feel  that 
we  may  speak  more  particularly  of  their  work  before 
naming  others  who  have  held  the  office  of  Ruling  Elder. 
We  notice,  first,  the  extreme  care- of  Session  in  receiv- 
ing members  into  the  Church.  In  those  formative  years 
great  wisdom  and  discretion  were  needed  in  admitting 
persons  to  the  communion  of  the  Church.  No  doubt  our 
Church  owes  much  to  the  decided  action  and  careful  delib- 
eration of  the  men  who  constitued  the  Session.  There 
was  no  undue  haste  in  the  action  of  Session  in  this  impor- 
tant matter,  but  there  was  most  careful  and  thorough  ex- 
amination. When  there  was  any  doubt  of  the  knowledge 
of  spiritual  things,  the  person  was  held  back  for  a  time 
and  instructed  by  the  Pastor.  When  there  was  any  shadow 
on  the  reputation,  the  person  was  refused  admission  until 
truly  penitent  and  all  was  cleared  away.  Even  when  cer- 
tificates were  presented,  espically  if  they  had  been  given 
long  before,  the  person  was  carefully  examined  by  Session. 
We  note  this  in  the  Session  Book:  'Resolved,  that  the  Ses- 
sion meet  on  the  Sabbath  evening  after  the  Sacrament,  to 
enable  any  persons  who  may  desire  to  come  forward  at  the 
next  administration  to  the  Lord's  Table,  to  have  timely 
and  frequent  opportunities  of  meeting  with  the  Session, 
and  Resolved,  That  for  the  same  purpose  they  will  meet 
once  in  four  weeks,  either  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  the 
month,  or  on  the  following  Wednesday  night." 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  45 

The  Session  also  watched  over  the  members  of  the 
Church  with  loving  interest.  The  purity  of  the  Church 
was  very  precious  to  them  and  they  guarded  it  with  jealous 
care.  If  possible  not  even  one  spot  should  mar  the  purity 
of  the  Church  of  Christ.  Carelessness  in  attendance  upon 
public  worship,  disregard  of  the  Lord's  Day,  "speaking 
reproachfully  and  falsely"  of  one's  neighbors,  tavern-keep- 
ing, intemperance  and  profanity  were  all  brought  before 
the  Session.  If  continued,  a  member  of  Session  was  ap- 
pointed to  visit  and  admonish  the  erring  one.  If  the  ad- 
monition was  neglected  the  offender  was  cited  to  appear 
before  Session  and  answer  the  charge.  A  case  of  interest 
IS  that  of  one  who  "on  our  Sacrament  Sabbath  did  in 
company  with  several  persons  of  the  Romish  Church,  take 
a  sleigh  ride  to  Tamaqua  and  attend  the  celebration  of 
mass  in  a  chapel  there."  The  delinquent  appeared  before 
Session  in  answer  to  the  citation,  acknowledged  the  truth 
of  the  charges  and  declared  herself  deeply  penitent  for  her 
sin.  The  Session  decided  that  she  "  be  suspended  from 
the  communion  of  the  Church  for  six  months." 

In  all  cases,  discipline  was  administered  by  Session 
only  after  a  thorough  examination  of  the  case  and  long 
ai'd  prayerful  considenition;  and  then  done  most  lovinglv 
and  tenderly.  The  loving  care  of  Session  is  evident  from 
such  records  as  these:  "July  21st,  1840  During  the  present 
wee..  e  Pastor  and  Elder  have  visited  and  prayed  with 
ev  milyin   communion    with  this   Church   residing  in 


46  HISTORY     OFTHE 


the  village."  *  Again:  "  October  ist,  1845.  It  was  resolved 
to  visit"  certain  families  **anfi  to  converse  with  them 
on  the  sin  of  intemperance  in  the  first  case,  and  in  the 
second  of  the  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  and  conduct  un- 
worthy of  a  Christian,  "f  "August  14th,  1844.  It  was  re- 
solved that  a  sermon  be  preached  next  Sabbath  on  the 
duties  of  the  Session  to  the  Congregation,  and  of  their 
duty  to  the  Session,  and  that  the  Session  will  during  the 
month  of  September  visit  all  of  the  members  of  the 
Church,  "j 

Mr.  Ruddle  resigned  in  1852,  and  Dr.  Thompson  died 
in  1854,  so  that  the  Session  was  again  reduced  to  two  mem- 
bers, the  Pastor  and  Elder  Smith.  It  was  enlarged  in  Jan- 
uary 1856  by  the  election  of  four  Ruling  Elders:  Messrs. 
Charles  G.  Rockwood^  Nathan  Fegley,  Robert  Porter  and 
Joseph  Forrest.  In  March  i86i,Mr.  A.  G.  Brodhead  and 
Mr.  Fisher  Hazard  were  elected  and  ordained  to  the  Elder- 
ship. 

Mr.  Hodge  introduced  a  plan  for  increasing  the  ef- 
ficiency of  the  Elders,  which  is  fully  stated  in  the  Session 
Book.  "  The  list  of  our  communicants  was  divided  into 
four  parts,  which  were  given  to  the  four  Elders.  While 
the  Elders  are  bound  by  their  office  to  maintain  a  constant 


^Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p,  29. 
fSession  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  61. 
^.Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  55. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  47 


watchful  over-sight  over  the  whole  Church,  each  Elder  is 
expected  by  Session  to  take  a  special  charge  of  those 
names  which  are  upon  his  list.  These  he  is  expected  to 
visit,  and  once  in  three  months  to  report  to  the  Session 
their  spiritual  condition,  and  to  give  any  information  con- 
cerning them  that  the  Pastor  or  the  Elders  may  desire. 
The  Elders  are  to  inform  the  Pastur  from  time  to  time  of 
the  sickness,  affliction,  trouble,  etc.  of  those  committed  to 
their  charge,  and  of  whatever  may  be  of  assistance  to  him 
in  his  pastoral  work."* 

At  tliat  time  the  Session  met  in  the  study  on  Sabbath 
morning  **to  pray  for  the  continuance  of  the  blessing   of 

God's  Spirit."t 

Since  1861,  Ruling  Elders  have  been  elected  as  fol- 
lows :  February  ist,  1865,  Messrs.  Robert  L.  Cooke,  Wil- 
liam Patterson  and  Charles  E.  Webster.  September  20th, 
1874,  Mr.  John  McAllister  and  Mr.  John  A.  Esser.  De- 
cember 2ist,  1879,  Mr.  James  Ross  and  Mr.  William  T. 
King.  December  14th,  1888,  Messrs.  John  C.  Dolon,  E. 
R.  Enbody  and  John  Nichol.  March  nth,  1892,  Messrs. 
Andrew  Ross,  Charles  S.  Belford  and  Wm.  D.  Evans. 

Of  those  who  have  served  in  the  Session  during  these 
sixty  years.  Elders  Thompson,  Fegley,  Hazard,  Brodhead, 
Porter  and  James  Ross  have  been  called  from  the  active 
duties  of  the  Eldership  to  the  higher  service  of  Heaven. 

^Session  Book,  Vol.  11,  p.  109. 
f  Session  Book,  Vol.  11,  p.  113. 


4$  HISTORYOFTHE 

Elder  Ruddle  resigned  in  1852  and  remained  in  the 
communion  of  the  Church  until  his  death  in  1865.  El- 
der G.  W.  Smith,  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Church,  and  a  member  of  the  Session  from  the  day  of  its 
organization,  resigned  in  1861.  After  his  removal  from 
Mauch  Chunk  he  was  an  active  member  of  the  First 
Church  of  Catasauqua,  until  his  death. 

Elder  Forrest  resigned  in  1865,  and  continued  in  the 
membership  of  the  Church  until  his  death. 

Elders  Rockwood,  Webster  and  Esser  since  their  re- 
moval from  Mauch  Chunk  have  served  as  Ruling  Elders  in 
other  churches.  Elder  William  T.  King,  having  been  en- 
gaged in  Home  Missionary  work  in  the  Indian  Territory, 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the  Presbytery.  Other 
Elders  after  leaving  our  town  are  active  in  the  work  of  the 
churches  with  whicli  they  are  connected. 

Mr.  A.  G.  Brodhead  served  as  Elder  for  thirty  years, 
Mr.  Smith  for  twenty-six  years,  and  Mr.  Hazard  for 
twenty-seven  years. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  49 


THE  SABBATH-SCHOOL. 


''Sabbath-school  work  in  Mauch  Chunk  antedates  the 
existence  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  by  more  than  ten 
years.  While  the  Church  was  organized  in  1835,  there 
was  a  school  in  1825.  There  is  reason  for  believing  that 
the  first  Sabbath-school  effort  in  Mauch  Chunk  was  organ- 
ized by  Joseph  P.  Engles,  a  name  afterward  widely  known 
in  the  Church,  and  for  many  years  Superintendent  of  the 
Board  of  Publication.  Mr.  Engles  not  only  organized  it, 
but  gave  the  school,  books  for  a  library.  *  *  *  The  school 
was  organized  and  held  its  meetings  for  a  time  in  a  wheel- 
wright shop,  that  stood  very  near,  if  not  on  the  very  spot, 
where  the  Church  now  stands.  *  *  Like  all  the  Sabbath- 
school  work  at  the  beginning,  the  school  was  union  in  its 
character.  *  ^'  The  first  to  withdraw  from  the  school  were 
the  Methodists,  who  in  the  year  1832  had  erected  achurch. 
This  movement  took  away  one-half  of  the  school,  and  also 
the  Superintendent.  This  left  the  school  composed  of 
Presbyterians  and  Episcopalians,  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
John  Simpson.  Mr.  Simpson  resigned  his  position  as 
superintendent.  The  school  then  seems  to  have  received 
a  new  impulse  through  the  influence  of  Mr.  William  H. 
Sayre.      He  made  a  proposition   that  the  work  should  be 


5(3  HISTORYOFTHE 

carried  on  unitedly  by  himself,  Asa  L.  Foster,  James  W. 
Barnes  and  Nathan  Patterson,  beginning  with  the  eldest, 
Mr.  Foster.  This  arrangement  cont'nued  until  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Episcopal  school.  *  ^  *  Though  both 
Methodists  and  Episcopalians  had  withdrawn,  the  school 
was  in  a  good  condition,  having  several  very  competent 
and  devoted  teachers."* 

In  the  Session  Book  we  find  this  minute,  bearing  date 
May  8th,  1839  :  ''It  was  resolved  that  though  the  Cate- 
chism is  taught  in  the  Sabbath-school,  the  Session  will, 
during  the  summer,  examine  the  children  on  their  profi- 
ciency in  it,  at  the  close  of  the  Sabbath  afternoon  service  of 
each  week."t 

On  the  1 6th  of  February,  1840,  the  school  was  re- 
organized and  placed  under  the  care  of  Session.  *'  The 
meeting  for  that  purpose  was  held  in  the  west  end  of  the 
Public  School  building."  The  admirable  feature  of  the 
constitution  is  that  the  School  in  all  its  management  is 
under  the  control  of  the  Session  of  the  Church.  Article 
II  says:  'The  Superintendent  of  the  School  shall  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  Session;  and  the  other  officers,  including 
the  teachers  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Session  and  Super- 
intendent'. Article  III.  'Any  officer  of  the  School  is 
subject  to  removal  at  the  discretion  of  the  Session'.  Ar- 
ticle VI.    'The  course  of  study  to  be  pursued  in  the  School, 

•^Dr.  Ferrier's  Historical  Sermon. 
■{•Session  Book  Vol.  i,  p.  24. 


FIRST     PRESBYT:XRIAN     CHURCH.  51 

shall  be  prescribed  by  the  Session.'  The  Constitution  and 
By-Laws  are  excellent  in  all  their  features,  and  the  success 
and  prosperity  of  the  School  are  largely  due  to  the  close 
and  constant  supervision  of  the  Church."* 

Under  date  of  February  loth,  1841,  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing minute  in  the  Session  Book."  "The  Sessio.i  hav- 
ing witnessed  the  progress  of  the  School  under  these  rules 
for  one  year  are  satisfied  of  their  excellent  adaptedness  and 
usefulness.  We  have  had  an  average  attendance  of  sixty- 
seven  scholars,  and  five  male  and  nine  female  teachers. 
The   following    rules  wdre  added  to  those  now  in  force. 

Rule  I.  The  teachers  shall  assign  to  their  classes  the 
verses  to  be  committed  to  memory,  and  they  shall  not  hear 
more  than  fifteen  verses  in  ail,  of  hymns,  Catechism,  or 
Scripture  recited  at  one  time  by  any  scholar. 

Rule  2.  The  Catechisms  (the  introductory  and  Short- 
er) shall  be  recited  once  in  the  month,  in  the  presence  of 
the  Pastor,  the  teachers  asking  the  questions  of  the  class, 
and  the  answer  being  made  while  standing,  and  in  the  hear- 
ing of  the  school."  f 

From  the  annual  "Narrative  of  Religion"  in  the  Ses- 
sion Book  we  glean  many  items  of  interest  concerning  the 
School.  In  1842  Mr.  Webster  writes:  "The  Sabbath- 
school  has  been  steadily  increasing  in  interest  and  numbers, 
one  of  the  teachers  having  united  withlhe  Church    during 


*Dr.  Ferrier's  Historical  Sermon. 
fSession  Book,  Vol.  I,  p.  32. 


52 


HISTORY     OF     THE 


the  year."  *  In  the  "Narrative  of  1843,  ^'^  ^"^^^e  seen  how 
the  Sabbath-school  shared  in  the  rich  blessings  of  the  re- 
vival during  the  preceding  year.  In  1844,  we  read:  *'The 
Sabbath-school  has  been  kept  up  with  much  interest  at 
three  points  throughout  the  year  and  at  one  during  the 
summer. "t  In  1845:  "Our  Sabbath  school  is  large 
and  flourishing;  the  greater  part  of  the  teachers  are  young 
persons,  trained  in  our  School,  punctual  in  attendance, 
giving  good  diligence  in  their  classes,  but  not  followers 
of  Jesus. "J 

In  1843,  ^^^  ^"d  a  reference  to  "our  Branch  School  at 
Union  Farms"  and  Mr.  Peter  L.  Munnes  was  appointed 
Superintendent.  Of  that  School  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Doremus, 
in  an  historical  sermon  preached  at  Summit  Hill,  in  1884, 
says:  "Previous  to  Mr.  Patterson's  removal  to  Summit  Hill, 
he  had  been  coming  up  from  Mauch  Chunk  to  Summit  Hill 
to  look  after  the  works.  On  these  trips  he  had  found  a  few 
families  residing  in  Bloomingdale  Valley,  near  what  was 
known  as  the  'Old  Farm',  and  seeing  the  neglected  con- 
dition of  the  children,  proposed  the  establishing  of  a  Sab- 
bath-school in  the  log  school  house.  On  the  following 
Sabbath  he,  with  Rev.  Richard  Webster,  John  Ruddle  and 
John  Simpson  from  the  Church  at  Mauch  Chunk  came  up 
and  organized  the  Sabbath-school.       The    Bloomingdale 


^Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  36. 
j-Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  51. 
^Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  58. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  53 

Scliool  was  broken  up  by  tlie  reinoval  of  all  the  families  at 
the  'Old  Farm'  in  1850." 

In  the  Narrative  for  1857,  Elder  Charles  G.  Rock- 
wood,  writes:  "  Our  Sabbath-school  prospers  and  is  per- 
haps larger  than  ever  before.  We  have  on  the  roll  two 
hundred  and  ninety  scholars,  and  thirty  one  teachers  with 
an  average  attendance  ai  this  season  of  the  year  of  about 
two  hundred  scholars  and  teachers.  The  teachers  keep  up 
with  interest  a  weekly  meeting  for  study,  which  is  well 
attended."" 

In  1863,  we  find  the  first  mention  of  the  Sabbath- 
school  in  Upper  Mauch  Chmik.  In  1864,  there  were  one 
hundred  and  four  scholars  in  that  school,  and  the  total 
membership  of  the  two  schools  was  three  hundred  and 
twenty.  This  school  continued  in  a  flourishing  condition 
for  many  years,  but  was  afterwards  disbanded. 

Our  Sabbath-school,  in  East  Mauch  Chunk,  which  has 
been  so  successful  and  is  such  a  power  for  good,  was  organ- 
ized in  1869,  and  in  the  report  for  1895  it  has  one  hundred 
and  ninety-three  scholars.  Total  membership  in  our 
Schools  this  year,  six  hundred  and  ninety-one. 

After  the  re  organization  of  the  Sabbath-school  in 
1840,  Mr.  Nathan  Patterson  was  appointed  Superintendent, 
and  he  held  that  office  until  he  moved  to  Summit  Hill,  in 
1844.     The  Superintendents  afterwards  appointed  by  Ses- 

*Session  Book  Vol.  11,  p.  66. 


54  H  1  S  i  O  R  Y     O  F     T  H  E 

sion  were:  Mr.  John  Ruddle,  1845;  ^^^'  Lewis  Hoyt, 
1848  ;  Mr.  George  W.  Helme,  1849.  After  Mr.  Helme's 
removal  from  town  Mr.  J.  H.  Siewers  filled  the  Superin- 
tendent's place  for  a  year  and  a  half,  but  without  accept 
ing  the  office.  About  1852  Mr.  Charles  G.  Rockwood 
was  appointed  Superintendent,  and  he  continued  in  office 
until  his  removal  from  Mauch  Chunk  in  1857.  It  was 
while  Mr.  Rockwood  was  Superintendent  that  the  School 
removed  from  the  Public  School  building  to  the  Lecture 
room.  That  important  event  occurred,  as  we  have  seen, 
on  the  20th  of  July,  1856. 

In  August,  1857,  Session  appointed  Mr.  A.  G.  Brod- 
head,  Superintendent,  which  office  he  filled  with  loving 
faithfulness  until  his  resignation,  on  July  2nd,  1882. 
Session  placed  on  record  the  following  minute:  "Mr. 
Brodhead  has  served  the  Church  with  great  success  and 
acceptance  in  this  capacity  for  twenty-five  years.  The 
resignation  was  accepted,  and  the  thanks  of  Session  given 
to  Mr.  Brodhead  for  his  valuable,  services.'"'' 

Mr.  Fisher  Hazard,  who  had  been  ordained  Elder  the 
same  day  as  Mr.  Brodhead,  and  who  had  served  with  him 
as  Assistant  Superintendent,  during  his  entire  term  of  of- 
fice, continued  to  hold  that  position  in  the  Sabbath-school 
until  his  sudden  death,  August  25th,  1888.  He  had  held 
that  office  for  thirty-one  years,  and  had  also  been  teacher 
of  the  Bible  class  for  the  same  length  of  time.  The 
■^'Session  Book,  Vol.  iv,  p.  26. 


PRESBYTERIAX  CHAPEL,   EAST  MAUCH  CHUNK. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  55 


names  of  Mr.  Brodhead  and  Mr.  Hazard,  so  long  and  so 
closely  associated  as  they  are  with  the  history  of  our 
C'hiirch  and  Sabbath  school,  have  very  sweet  and  tender 
memories  for  many  of  us,  who  grew  up  under  their  loving 
guidance. 

Mr.  John  Nichol,  was  a})pointed  Superintendent  July 
2nd,  1882,  and  we  feel  it  is  a  cause  for  deep  gratitude  that 
we  are  able  to  add  that  he  still  holds  that  resi)onsible  po- 
sition. 

The  Sabbath-school  in  East  Mauch  Chunk  has  also 
been  blessed  with  earnest,  faithful  Superintendents  who 
have  devoted  themselves  to  the  interests  and  welfare  of  the 
School.  Among  these,  we  must  name  Mr.  (Charles  E.  Ami- 
don,  Mr.  Frederick  Moon,  Mr.  J.  W.  Lattig,  Mr.  Charles 
C.  Brown,  and  Mr.  John  Muth  as  those  who  labored  with 
untiring  zeal  and  marked  success  in  that  office. 

To  this  list  of  honored  and  devoted  Superintendents, 
we  add  the  names  of  Mr  Wm.  C.  Morris  and  Mr.  Frank 
B.  Morris  whose  faithful  work  in  the  School  in  Upper 
Mauch  Chunk  is  gratefully  remembered. 

We  have  given  the  names  of  our  Superintendents  but 
no  mention  can  be  made  here  of  the  faithful  teachers  who 
have  by  their  fidelity  and  devotion  done  so  much  for  the 
spirtual  and  temporal  interests  of  the  School  they  loved  so 
well.  While  their  names  cannot  be  mentioned  many  hearts 
will  recall  them  with  tender  love,  for  we  know  they  are 
enshrined  in  their  memories,  and  that  thev  are  written   in 


56  HISTORYOFTHE 


Heaven,  whither  so  many  have  ah-eady  gone  to  enter  into 
their  reward. 

In  Dr.  Ferrier's  historical  sermon  he  said;  "As  this 
discourse  is  to  be  preserved  as  historical,  it  is  the  simplest 
justice  that  grateful  mention  should  be  made  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  C.  H.  Webb,  who  have  done  so  much  for  years  to  en- 
courage and  sustain  the  singing  in  our  School."  Amid 
the  many  sad  changes  in  the  eighteen  years  that  have  pass- 
ed since  Dr.  Ferrier  preached  that  sermon  we  are  thankful 
to  be  able  to  say  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webb  are  still  with  us 
as  then  and  that  the  passing  years  have  only  increased  our 
debt  of  love  and  gratitude  to  them. 

"If  we  ask  the  question  what  has  been  done  through 
the  instrumentality  of  the  School  as  a  help  to  the  Church, 
we  can  scarcely  make  answer.  Eternity  alone  can  unfold 
the  result  of  these  labors.  Many  have  been  trained  here 
who  have  gone  elsewhere,  and  are  giving  their  testimony 
to  other  churches  and  oth.r  communities.  We  believe 
that  some  have  gone  from  our  School  to  Heaven — seal- 
ed for  a  better  world  before  they  left  the  School.  We  might 
mention  their  names.  Some  of  them  are  fresh  in  your 
memory,  and  dear  to  you  as  your  own  loved  ones.  The 
whole  generation  that  is  coming  on  to  fill  our  pews  in  the 
Church,  to  occupy  the  seats  at  the  Communion  Table,  and 
very  soon  the  offices  of  the  Church,  have  all  been  educated  in 
our  School.  I  look  with  wonderand  astonishment  and  thank- 
fulness at  whp.t  God  has  done  for  \ou.       It  is  not  for  anv 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  57 

who  work  in  this  School  to  be  discouraged.  God  has  put  be- 
fore your  eyes  too  many  rewards  of  your  labor;  not  to 
speak  of  eternity,  he  has  held  up  before  your  wondering 
eyes  too  many  rich,  ripe  clusters  that  only  tell  what  may 
yet  be  gathered  in  the  future.    'Be  steadfast,  unmovable."* 


"•■^Dr.  Fenier's  Historical  Sermon. 


58  H  I  S  T  O  R  Y     O  F     T  H  E 


HOME    MISSIONARY    WORK. 


We  must  remember  that  in  the  early  days  of  our 
Church,  it  was  the  centre  of  active  Home  Missionary 
work  in  this  entire  region,  even  while  it  was  itself  strug- 
gling for  an  existence.  This  work,  unusual  in  such  a  weak 
church,  was  the  result  of  the  ardent  missionary  spirit  of 
the  first  Pastor.  Mr.  Webster's  friend,  Rev.  D.  X.  Juii- 
kin,  D.  D.,  wrote:  ''From  that  time  (December  6th, 
1835)  to-  the  hour — indeed,  to  the  moment  of  his  death, 
he  continued  to  preach  Christ  crucified  to  that  people,  and 
at  many  other  points  in  the  Pennsylvania  coal  regions. 
He  was  emphatically  the  Apostle  of  the  Coal  Fields.  He 
threw  his  earnest  heart,  his  clear,  well  furnished  mind,  his 
untiring  zeal,  and  his  worldly  substance,  into  the  work  of 
evangelizing  the  population  of  the  mining  region  and 
towns.  With  a  slender  frame,  he  toiled  on,  hoped  on,  un- 
til with  God's  blessing,  his  own  immediate  flock  was  en- 
larged and  became  an  important  and  efficient  church,  and 
churches  were  organized,  and  houses  of  worship  reared  in 
all  that  region.  He  was  indefatigable  in  preaching,  travel- 
ling, visiting,  corresponding  and  sustaining  missionaries. 
Whilst  his  own  stipend  was  very  small,  he  relinguished  his 
allowance  from  the  Board  of  Missions,  that  it  might  be 
given    to  other  laborers  in    his    favorite    mountain-field. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  59 

Often,  like  his  Master,  did  he  travel  on  foot  great  distances, 
over  steep  and  rugged  roads,  to  carry  the  Gospel  to  the 
destitute,  and  this  without  hope  of  earthly  reward."* 

As  we  have  already  seen,  a  number  of  our  church 
members  lived  at  Summit  Hill,  and  from  1835  to  1843, 
Mr.  Webster  preached  there  one-fourth  of  his  time,  and 
administered  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  twice  a 
year.  At  one  time  he  remarks  tiiat  a  large  congregation 
was  present,  and  twenty-one  persons  communed.  **In 
May,  1839,  twenty-three  persons  were  dismissed  from  this 
Church,  and  were  organized  by  a  Committee  of  Newton 
Presbytery,  into  the  Church  of  Summit  Hill."f  Later, 
April  13th,  1842,  we  find  this  minute:  "  The  Session 
having  heard  that  the  corigregation  of  Summit  Hill  and 
Tamaqua,  residing  in  Tamaqua,  intend  to  make  application 
to  the  Presbytery,  at  iis  Spring  meeting,  for  permission  to 
employ  for  the  three  sumn.er  m.onths,  Mr.  William  E. 
Schenck,  a  licentiate  of  New  Brunswick  Presbytery,  it  was 
resolved  that  the  monies  now  in  our  Sacred  Fund,  ^13.25, 
together  with  what  may  be  raised  at  the  Monthly  Concert 
in  May,  June,  July  and  August,  be  devoted  to  the  support 
of  Mr.  Schenck,  as  the  missionary  at  Tamaqua,  Port  Clin- 
ton and  the  vicinity. "+  In  the  Narrative  of  Religion,  in 
1843,    ^^-    ^Vebster  says:      "The    Missionary  collection 


^Biographical  Sketch. 
fSession  Book,  Vol.  II,  p.  I. 
^Session  Book,  Vol.  I,  p.  36. 


6o  HISTORYOFTHE 

has  been  larger  than  in  any  previous  year  ;  with  a  portion 
of  it  we  sustained  for  three  months  a  preacher  at  Summit 
Hill  and  Port  Clinton,  and  as  a  fruit,  the  former  place  is 
now  supplied  with  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  every  Sab- 
bath, and  is  nearly  as  well  able  to  sustain  a  Pastor  as  we 
are  ourselves."* 

As  a  result  of  Mr.  Webster's  missionary  labors 
churches  were  organized  at  Summit  Hill,  Port  Clinton, 
Beaver  Meadow,  Conyngham  Valley,  Tamaqua,  White 
Haven,  Hazleton  and  Weatherly. 

In  the  "Narrative"  for  1844,  Mr.  Webster,  says: 
"Preaching  is  maintained  on  Sabbath  afternoons  at  Union 
Farms  and  Nesquehoning,  and  is  well  attended."*}"  In  his 
early  ministry  he  also  preached  regularly  at  Weissport  and 
Parry ville.  In  1843,  there  was  a  deep  religious  interest  at 
Nesquehoning,  and  for  several  weeks  Mr.  Webster  went 
there  every  night  in  the  bitter  cold  of  winter  and  preached. 
Long  afterward,  in  i860  and  1861,  we  find  that  a  mis- 
sionary (Rev.  Mr.  Darroch,)  was  laboring  at  Nesquehon- 
ing in  addition  to  his  work  at  Weatherly  and  Gnaden- 
hutten.  At  his  request.  Rev.  Mr.  Hodge,  with  a  Com- 
mittee of  Session,  twice  visited  Nesquehoning,  and  re- 
ceived into  the  membership  of  our  Church  eleven  persons 
residing  in  that  village.  The  Lord's  Supper  was  administer- 
ed in  Nesquehoning,  March  31st,  1861,  by  the  Rev.  J.  A. 

^Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  45. 
f  Session  Book,Vol,  i,  p,  51. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  6l 

Hodge  and  Rev.  Mr.  Darroch.*  Our  Church  had  a  special 
interest  in  the  work  at  Lehighton  from  its  early  days. 
Rev.  Dr.  Belville  preached  there  regularly,  and  when  un- 
able to  do  so  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  saw  that  the 
pulpit  was  supplied  every  Sabbath  afternoon,  until  a  pastor 
was  called.  Unfortunately,  no  record  has  been  kept  of 
this  interesting  work,  and  of  the  part  our  Church  took  in 
it.     The  Lehighton  Church  was  organized  in  1872. 

We  review  this  work  that  the  present  membership  of 
our  Church  may  have  some  idea  of  the  missionary  spirit 
which  animated  its  founders,  and  the  desire  they  felt  to 
share  the  privileges  they  enjoyed,  viz  :  The  regular  preach- 
ing of  the  Word,  an  organized  church,  and  a  permanent 
place  of  worship. 


^Session  Book,  Vol.  II,  p.  I16. 


02  HISTORY     O  F     T  H  E 


MINISTERS. 


One  of  the  greatest  honors  that  can  be  given  to  a 
Church  is  to  see  her  sons  enter  the  ministry.  Our  Church 
has  had  the  privilege  of  having  seven  from  her  member- 
ship ordained  to  preach  the  Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 

In  the  "Narrative"  of  1843,  ^^-  Webster,  writes: 
"It  is  with  great  delight  that  we  mention  that  one  of  our 
members  is  pursuing  a  course  of  study,  preparatory  for  the 
ministry,— a  young  man  of  approved  piety,  and  discretion 
and  proniise.""-^  Again,  in  1S49  :  ''Three  members  of 
our  Church  are  preparing  for  the  ministry. "f 

These  three,  who  were  graduates  of  Lafayette  College 
and  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  were :  Rev.  Ed- 
ward Kennedy,  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Winchester, 
m  1851,  now  "  Honorably  Retired;"  Rev.  James  Scott, 
ordained  by  the  Second  Presbytery,  of  Philadelphia,  in 
1854,  died  1861  ;  Rev.  Joseph  W.  Porter,  ordained  by  the 
Presbytery,  of  Philadelphia,  in  i860,  died  in  1890.  Two 
sons  of  the  first  Pastor  entered  the  ministry  after  gradu- 
ating from  Princeton  College  and   Theological   Seminary. 


■^"Session  Book,  Vol.  1,  p.  44. 
f  Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  71. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  63 

Rev.  William  S.  C.  Webster,  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Luzerne,  and  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh,  in 
1872..  now  Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  at  Islip, 
New  York,  and  tiie  Rev.  Richard  B.  Webster,  licensed  in 
1872  by  the  Presbytery  of  Lehigh,  and  ordained  in  1882, 
by  the  Presbytery  of  Lackawanna,  Pastor  of  the  West- 
minster Church,  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa. 

Besides  those  named,  Mr.  Peter  Munnes,  a  member 
of  our  Church  from  1842  to  1846,  the  leader  of  our  choir, 
and  the  Superintendent  of  the  "Branch  Sabbath-school," 
after  leaving  Mauch  Chunk,  was  taken  under  the  care  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  and  licensed  to  preach.  He 
was  ordained  in  1853,  and  died  in  1855  while  engaged  in 
active  Home  Missionary  work  in  Mi.ssissippi. 

Mr.  William  T.  King,  an  Elder  of  our  Church  and 
active  in  all  departments  of  its  work,  after  leaving  us  en- 
gaged in  missionary  work  in  the  Indian  Territory.  As 
his  usefulness  increased,  Presbytery  licensed  him  to  preach, 
and  later,  in  view  of  his  efficiency,  and  faithfulness,  and 
his  many  qualifications  for  work  in  that  wide  field,  he  was 
ordained.     He  is  still  a  Home  Missionary  in  Oklahoma. 


64  HISTORY     ()  F     THE 


THE    C  H  U  R  C  H. 


A  strong  attachment  to  the  church  building  has  ever 
been  a  marked  characteristic  of  our  people. 

We  have  seen  that  the  little  stone  church  was  utterly 
inadequate  lor  the  growing  congregation,  and  that  the  sub- 
ject ol  a  new  church  was  agitated  long  before  the  work  was 
begun.  About  1847  ^^  184S  several  of  the  young  ladies 
proposed  holding  a  fair  to  raise  money  for  the  furnishing 
of  the  new  church.  The  project  met  with  general  favor, 
and  we  are  told  that  the  young  people  of  the  town,  irre- 
spective of  denomination,  heartily  co-operated.  This  fair, 
which  seems  to  have  been  the  first  in  Mauch  Chunk,  was 
held  in  a  building  belonging  to  the  Company,  at  the  foot 
of  Broadway,  near  the  river.  It  was  a  great  success,  and 
the  proceeds  were  invested  with  the  Lehigh  Coal  and 
Navigation  Company  and  remained  at  interest  until  1859 
when  the  new  church  was  ready  to  be  furnished.  The  zeal 
shown  by  one  of  the  young  ladies  at  that  fair  has  only  in- 
creased with  the  passing  years,  and  our  Church  owes  much 
to  her  executive  ability,  wisdom,  untiring  devotion  and  ex- 
cellent taste. 

We  have  been  singularly  favored  in  having  in  our 
congregation  many  wealthy  families  who  have  given  freely 


^ 


1 


I '  1  R  S  T     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  65 

and  largely  to  the  church,  and  we  hope  that  in  future  years 
the  memory  of  those  who  have  so  lovingly  cared  for  its 
temporal  interests,  and  have  so  often  come  to  its  help  \n 
time  of  need,  will  be  cherished  and  honored  by  those  who 
enjoy  the  fruits  of  their   liberality. 

We  cannot  fail  to  make  mention  here  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  who  have  so  faithfully  watched  over,  and  guarded 
the  interests  and  welfare  of  our  Church.  On  this  Board, 
have  always  been  successful  business  men,  who  have  freely 
given  their  time,  their  experience  and  their  wealth  to  the 
service  of  Church.  In  times  of  financial  distress,  when 
the  future  looked  daik,  these  generous  men  have  again 
and  again  come  forward  and  relieved  the  Church  from  debt 
and  anxiety. 

The  Church  has  been  renovated  and  remodeled  from 
time  to  time,  until  it  is  now  so  beautiful  and  com|jlete:  our 
church-home,  endeared  to  us  by  the  tender  memories  and 
associations  of  a  life  time.  Handsome  memorial  windows 
keep  in  constant  remembrance,  the  names  of  some,  who 
have  loved  the  Church  and  have  borne  such  an  honored 
part  in  her  history.  The  beautiful  brass  pul[)it  and  choir 
rail  were  presented  by  Mrs.  E.  Polk,  in  loving  memory  of 
her  daughter.  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Price  has  given  a  lasting 
memorial  also  in  the  very  valuable  library,  intended  for  the 
use  of  the  Pastor  of  this  Church.  Such  a  library  is  a  rare 
gift,  and  the  Pastors  here  will  always  have  cause  to  thank 
Mr.  Price  for  his  splendid  generosity   and  thoughtfulness. 


66  HISTORY     OF     THE 

The  "Bertsch  Fqnd",  the  roble  legacy  of  Mr.  Daiiie 
Bertsch,  Sr.,  has  proved  a  real  blessing  to  our  Church  and 
Sabbath-school,  for  almost  twenty  years.  Another  of 
these  devoted  friends,  Mr.  E.  B.  Leisenring,  who  recently 
died,  has  left  a  similar  gift  for  the  permanent  benefit  of 
the  Church  and  School. 

The  beautiful  little  chapel  in  East  Mauch  Chunk,  alsol 
testifies  to  the  desire  of  our  people  to  have  all  that  pertains 
to  the  house  of  the  Lord,  perfect  and  complete. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  67 


BENEVOLENCE. 

Even  when  our  Church  was  weak  and  poor,  it  was 
urged  by  the  Pastor  to  contribute  to  the  benevolent  work 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

It  is  pleasant  to  know,  that  even  in  those  early  days, 
the  ladies  were  interested  in  missionary  work.  In  1838,  a 
few  met  and  discussed  plans  of  work,  and  a  sewini^  societ\- 
was  organized.  After  correspondence  with  the  Secretary 
of  our  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  definite  work  was  as- 
signed ;  the  money  was  raised  to  buy  the  materials,  and 
soon  the  ladies  were  busily  eng;aged  in  making  some  articles 
of  clothing  for  the  out-fit  of  missionaries,  about  to  go  to 
the  foreign  field.  Our  Foreign  Missionary  Society  is  after 
all,  only  the  successor  of  this  brave  little  society,  whicli 
continued  in  active  work  for  many  years. 

As  to  the  gifts  of  the  Church,  we  find  in  the  Statisti- 
cal Report  for  1840,  that  ^45.00  was  contributed  for  For- 
eign Missions.  As  the  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch 
increased  and  new  Boards  were  established,  we  find  that 
our  Church  contributed  something  to  each  one.  In  1844, 
we  find  this  record  :  "  The  causes  of  benevolence  excite 
too  little  interest  in  the  Church  ;  the  sum  contributed  is 
really  far  below  our  ability,  and  in  fact  four-fifths  of  it  are 
given  by  four  or  five  persons."*  Yet  those  contributions 
compare  favorably  with  those  of  the  present  prosperous 
^■"Session  Book,  Vol.  i.  p.  52. 


68  HISTORY     OF    THE 


days.  In  1849,  with  only  ninety  members,  the  Church 
gave  for  Foreign  Missions,  ,585.00  ;  Domestic  Missions, 
$20  ;  Education,  $20.00. 

In  1841,  the  Session  established  what  was  called  the 
"  Sacred  Fund,"  and  collections  for  it  were  taken  on  the 
first  Sabbath  evening  of  each  month.  We  have  seen  that 
this  Fund  was  used  in  direct  missionary  work  in  this  vi- 
cinity. 

As  the  Church  increased  in  numbers  and  wealth,  the 

benevolent  contributions  advanced.  This  was  especially 
marked  during  the  pastorates  of  Drs.  Belville  and  Ferrier, 
and  was  no  doubt  owing  to  the  faithful  presentation  of  the 
Boards  of  our  Church,  and  information  regarding  their 
work  by  the  Pastors.  Information  and  intelligence  are 
the  indispensable  forerunners  of  interest  and  benevolence. 
Special  collections  have  heen  taken  from  time  to  time, 
and  always  with  great  success.  Perhaps  the  one  in  which 
our  people  took  most  interest,  was  the  Million  Dollar 
Fund  for  the  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief,  in  1888.  Elder 
A.  G.  Brodhead  had  that  matter  in  hand, 'and  by  special 
canvass  of  the  congregation,  and  by  collections  in  Church 
and  Sabbath -school,  the  sum  of  $1,059.97  was  raised. 
The  benevolence  of  our  congregation  is  not  limited  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  for  generous  contributions  are  made 
every  year  to  the  great  undenominational  agencies  which 
are  doing  such  a  grand  work  for  Christ. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  69 


T  H  p:  choir. 

Our  Session  Book  tells  us,  that  in  June,  1844,  a  coni- 
munication  was  brought  before  Session,  "  concerning  the 
formation  of  a  Choir."  The  matter  was  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Elder  Ruddle,  and,  a  few  days  later,  he  reported 
that  the  plan  proposed  by  Session  had  been  accepted,  and 
the  choir  organized.  It  was  ordered  that  the  plan  be  re- 
corded on  the  minutes.  This  was  the  plan  :  "  The  Ses- 
sion of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  anxious  to  encourage 
any  attempt  to  improve  the  music  of  the  Churcli,  deputed 
Mr.  John  Ruddle  to  see  Mr.  Struthers,  and  to  propose  to 
him  and  others,  through  him,  that  they  form  themselves 
into  a  Choir  under  these  regulations  : 
''i   They  shall  select  a  leader,  the  Session  having  the  right 

to  confirm  or  reject. 
"2.   At  all  times  of  public  worship,  the  old   familiar  tunes 

to  be  sung,  except  now  and  then, 
''3.   At  all  times  of  public  worship,  the  Choir  is  to  observe 

a  decorum  becoming  the  House  of  God,  and  to  expel 

from  their  number  any  person,  when  informed  of  his 

or  her  misbehavior. 

*-This  arrangement  to  cease  whenever  the  Choir  shall  refuse 

to  dismiss  any  member  who  may  be  complained  of  by  the 

Session  "* 

■^'Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  pp.  53,  54. 


70 


HISTORY     O  1<'     THE 


Apparently  complaints  were  made,  for,  in  January, 
1S47,  ^^^^  Session  took  the  following  action  : 
"I.  No  complaint  against  the  Choir  or  any  member  of 
it  shall  be  noticed,  unless  formally  made,  and  accom- 
panied by  a  responsible  name,  and  when  so  made,  the 
party  accused  shall  be  notified  and  full  opportunity 
given  to  disprove  the  charge. 

•'K        *       * 

"3.   The  Viol  is  not  to  be  used,  unless  there   be  necessity, 
during  the  first  two  Psalms  on    Sabbath  morning,  and 
not  at  all  on  Sacramental  Sabbath  morning. 
"4.   The  House   of  God  is  never  to  be  used  on  His  holy 
Day  for  a  place  to  practice  sacred  music. '"^ 
'I'he  "  viol  ■''  alluded  to  was  a  grievance   to   sonie   of 
the  older  people,  and  so  strong  was  the  opposition  at   one 
time  that  one  of  the  members  of  the   Church,   who   loved 
its  peace  and  order,  had  the  offending  instrument  "stolen" 
and    hidden    away.      The    viol    was    used    in    the     "  new 
church,"    but     was   in   time   superseded  by   a    melodeon, 
which  gave  place  to  the  organ  in  1874.       The  largest  con- 
tribution  to  the  purchase   of  the   organ   came  from  Mrs. 
George     Belford.        The      same    generous     friend     who 
took    such    a    deep    interest   in    all  that  pertained  to   the 
Church,  was  specially  devoted  to  its  music.     As  one   in- 
stance of  her  liberality,   when  the  Hymnal   was  introduced 
■'^Session  Book,  Vol.  i,  p.  63. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  71 


in  1874,  Mrs.  Belford  supplied  copies  of  it  to  all  who  were 
unable  to  buy  it  for  themselves. 

Mr.  Charles  H.  Webb  was  appointed  leader  of  the 
Choir  in  1866,  and  has  held  that  responsible  and  trying 
position  ever  since.  Under  his  energetic  leadership,  and 
owing  to  his  untiring  and  devoted  efforts,  our  Church 
music  is  always  hearty  and  inspiring.  Mr.  Webb  also  has 
the  entire  charge  of  the  music  in  the  Sabbath-school  and 
for  twenty-five  successive  years,  he  has  patiently  taught  the 
Christmas  music,  which  is  such  a  delightful  feature  of  our 
celebrations. 

In  connection  with  the  music,  we  may  speak  of  the 
splendid  piano,  one  of  the  last  gifts  to  the  Sabbath-school, 
of  Mrs.  Andrew  A.  Douglas.  Its  sweet  tones  in  the  week, 
night  meetings,  and  in  the  Sabbath-school,  speak  to  us  of 
the  generous  friend  whose  interest  in  the  Church  never 
waned,  and  who  has  now  joined  the  "Choir  invisible." 


72 


HISTORY     OF    THE 


ORGANIZATIONS. 


In  these  days,  when  societies  of  all  kinds  are  multipli- 
ed indefinitly,  our  Church  has  with  the  wise,  conservative 
spirit  which  ever  characterized  it,  adopted  only  those  which 
are  most  useful  and  permanent,  and  which  have  the  unquali- 
fied approval  of  our  honored  General  Assembly.  Having 
adopted  them,  and  placed  them  under  the  care  of  Session, 
they  have  become  part  of  our  Church  life  and  history. 

The  Woman's  Foriegn  Missionary  Society,  organized 
May  13th  1878;  the  Little  Workers  for  Jesus,  started  the 
same  year;  and  the  FerrierBand,  organized  in  1882,  have 
proved  a  permanent  blessing  to  the  Church  in  keeping 
warm  in  the  hearts  of  the  women,  young  people  and  chil- 
dieii,  the  interest  in  the  work  of  Christ  in  heathen 
lands. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  the  Home  Missionary  work 
in  the  Society,  organized  in  January  1888,  and  the  Steven- 
son Band,  started  in  the  same  year. 

The  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  organized  in  1885, 
continues  to  prosper,  and  help  the  young  people.  A  Jun- 
ior Society  was  started  in  1893,  and  the  Chapel  Christian 
Endeavor  was  organized  also  in  November  1893.  ^^  these 
societies  we  hope  to  see  developed  the  spirit  of  loyalty  and 
devotion  to  the  Church  of   the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 


FIRST     PRESBYTERIAN     CHURCH.  73 


THE    MEMBERSHIP. 


Our  Church  has  great  cause  to  thank  God  for  its  lov- 
ing, loyal,  faithful  membership.  In  the  early  days  when 
there  were  only  a  few  members  and  most  of  them  hard- 
working people,  this  devotion  to  the  Church  was  specially 
marked.  It  meant  a  great  deal  in  those  days,  for  people  to 
pay  their  pew  rent  and  contribute  to  the  missionary  work 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Yet  the  very  fact  that  it  did 
cost  a  struggle,  only  strengthened  the  character  and  deep- 
ened the  self-respect  of  those  who  were  willing  to  make  a 
sacrifice,  that  they  might  contribute  to  the  support  of  the 
Church.  We  are  told  of  one,  who  in  addition  to  the  cares 
of  a  busy  life,  took  in  washing,  that  she  might  have  money 
to  pay  her  pew  rent.  We  hope  that  that  strong,  sturdy 
spirit  of  personal  interest  and  responsibility,  will  never  be 
lost. 

But  it  is  not  only  of  the  temporal  interests  we  would 
speak,  but  of  the  piety,  the  prayerfulness,  the  consecration 
of  many  of  the  members  of  our  Church,  and  of  the  beau- 
tiful Christian  lives,  which  have  been  and  are  being  lived 
in  our  midst.  Zealous  in  every  good  work,  abundant  in 
labor,  joyfully  serving  the  Lord,  they  have  been  a  blessing 
not  only  to  our  Church,  but  to  the  entire  community. 

Many  have  gone  from  us  to  other  places,  and  in  their 
new  homes,  they  have  entered  into  church   work  with  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


same  zeal  and  activity.  We  miss  them,  we  need  them, 
but  we  can  also  rejoice  in  the  wide-spread  influence  for 
good  thus  exerted  by  those  who  were  once  with  us,  and 
who  still  look  back  to  this  as  the  Church  they  love  best. 

From  the  communion  of  our  Church,  many  have  gone 
to  the  "House  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heav- 
ens," Parted  from  us  for  a  time,  their  memories  and  their 
influence  linger  in  the  Church  and  the  town,  as  a  continual 
blessing. 

"With  lis  their  names  shall  live 

Through  long  succeeding  years. 

Embalmed  with  all  our  hearts  can  give, 

Our  praises  and  our  tears." 

Within  the  past  few  years,  the  meaibership  has  chang- 
ed rapidly,  and  it  is  painful  to  miss  so  many  we  have  loved 
and  honored  all  our  lives.  The  officers  and  members,  who 
have  for  so  many  years  watched  over  the  Church  and  all 
Its  interests,  with  such  loving,  unwearied  care,  are  passing 
away,  leaving  the  Church  and  the  world  the  poorer  for 
their  absence.  With  it  all,  we  can  turn  away  from  the  sor- 
row and  pain  of  these  changes,  and  with  strong  faith,  look 
foward  to  a  happy  re-union,  as  we  realize  more  fully,  the 
true  unity  of  the  Church  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  on  earth 
and  in  Heaven. 

"One  family  we  dwell  in  Him, 
One  church  above,  beneath, 
Though  now  divided  by  the  stream. 
The  narrow  stream  of  death." 


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